Washington 



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Book 






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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIOKl 

OF THE 

INAUGURATION 

OP 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

First President of the United States of America, 

BY THE 

M. W. GRAND LODGE, F. & A. M., 

OF THE 

STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



A W . Hyatt, Stationer and Printer, 73 Camp Street, New Orlean9.-4a213 



^ 



^ 



Vv 



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1789 1889 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

OF TITF. 



INAUGURAXION 



OF 







GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

First President of the United States of Anienca, 
BY THE 

M. W. GRAND LODGE 

OF 

FREE AND ASSEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, 

St. Charles Tlieatre, Tuesday, April 30th, 1889, at 2 p. M. 



" A life how useful I0 his country led ! 

How loved while living: ! how revered now dead ! 
Lisp! lisp liis name, ye eliildren yet unborn ! 

And with like deeds your own great name adorn. 



A ,.. 



.F g1 



// 



PROGRAMME OF EXERCISES. 



M. W. Bro. Saml'ioi. Manning Todd, Senior P. (J. M., Presiding. 



MUSIC, .:.... Hail Columbia. 
By the Continental (Iitards Band, Prof. .1. B. Wunsch, Leader. 

OVERTURE. .... Medley of Popular Airs. 

PRAYER, 
By Rev. and W. Bro. Herman C. Duncan, GrandChapdain. 

y-MTTx-..-1-.T-rr-. ^T-i i 1 i.1 \ ( " Briider reichtdie Hand znin Bunde." ? 

CHORUS (Fraternal Song. ) I < Brethrenjoln the hand fraternal.) 5 

(Composed by Mozart for tlie occasion of the Dedication of a Masonic Lodjre in 

Ulni, Germany.) 

By Membeks of thk New Orleans Quartette Club and "Froh- 
siNN," Prof. C. Weiss, Director. 

OPENING ADDRESS, 

By M. W Grand Master Charles F. Buck. 

MUSIC ..... Star Spangled Banner. 

ORATION, 
By Rev. and W. Biio. W. A. Snively, Rector of Trinity Church. 

MUSIC, .... Red, White and Blue. 

ADDRESS IN GERMAN, 

By Rev. and W. Bro. Ludwig P. Heintz. 

MUSIC, ..... Watch on the Rhine. 

ADDRESS IN SPANISH, 

By W. Bro. Manuel Castillo. 

MUSIC, ...... Spanish Hymn. 

ADDRESS IN FRENCH, 

By W. Bko. Anatole A. Ker. 

MUSIC, ...... Marseillaise. 

ADDRESS IN ITALIAN, 

By W. Bro. John Rocchi. 

MUSIC, ...... Royal March. 

/-(Tx/^-riTTci /^ i£T • 1 /-\ • • 11 ( '• O Shntzseis; alles Sch6nen," ) -.»- , 

CHORUS, O "Isis and Osiris ' ^ (o Genius of aii beauty. \ Mozart. 
BENEDICTION, 
By Rev. and W. Bro. Herman C. Duncan, Grand Chaplain. 
MUSIC, ..... Home, Sweet Home. 



COMMITTEES. 



M. W. (iraiid MasU'i' Ciia klks I^'kamis JJic k, ( it-neral Cliaii-iiiaii. 



EXECUTIVE rOMM ITTKK. 
\l. W. liio. Ai-m;KT(i. Hhk'E, Chairman. 



W. Ero. Rifliaril I). Srrevcii, 
W. Hro. Zacluii y T. Bhu-k, 
W. Bro. Jose \'rnta. 



^V. ]iro. liaurt'ut Escat, 
W. Bro. Julius J., lioer, 
W. Bro. (i. B. SI)ai'l)oro. 



AKRAN(fE.M ENT COMMITTEE. 
B. \V. Hro. Aktuik W. Hyatt, Chainuaii. 



M. W. Bro. Waruuel M. Todd, 
R. W. Bro. (Joorsre Souk'", 



R \V. Bro. (i. .]. Biuci^ard, 
W. Bro. Ijaurent Esrat. 



INVITATFON COMMITTEE, 
li. \V. Bro. .1. PiNcKNKY Smith, Chairnum. 



R. W. Bro. A. L. Abbott, 
R. W. Bro. Geo. H. Pabst, 
R. AV. Bro. Ernest Morel, 



W. Bro. George Johnston, 
W. Bro. Joseph H. DeG range, 
Bro. William H. Chaffe. 



RECEPTION COMMITTEE. 
M. W. Bro. Joseph P, Hoknok, Chairman. 



M. W. Bro. J. Q. A. Fellows, 
M. W. Bro. Edwin Marks, 
M. W. Bro. I). R. Graham, 
R. W. Bro. F. deP. Villasana, 
R. W. Bro. Edward Bell, 
R. W. Bro. Charles Chatfe, 
R. W. Bro. B. Cam])iglio, 
W. Bro. E.J.Hamilton 
W. Bro. Alfred Goldthwaite, 
W. Bro. H. Schuur, 
W. Bro. Louis Bush, 
W. Bro. E. Behrens, 
W. Bro. Charles McKenzie, 



\V. Bro. Joel J. Maginnis, 

W. Bro. Paul M. Schneidau, 

W. Bro. G. B. Rossi, 

W. Bro. Richard S. Venables, 

W. Bro. Hugh Breen, 

\V. Bro. Owen Gernon, 

AV. Bro. Silvian Chanfrau, 

W. Bro. A. Mailhes, 

W. Bro. W. E. Lawrence, 

W. Bro J, O. McLean, 

W. Bro. J. L. G. Jackson, 

VV. Bro. H. Sass, 

Bro. Alfred H. I.saacson. 



SPECIAL COMMUNICATION. 

On the KJtli February, 1889, theM. W. Grand Master Charles 
Francis Buck directed the R. W. Grand Secretary to issue the 
following circular and send to the Lodges and to tlie individuals 
of the committee mentioued thereiii. also to Grand officers, D. D. 
Grand MavSters, Past Grand Officers, etc. The circular exjjlains 
itself : 

RELATIVE TO THE WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

TO THE 

Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Members of Lodges, 

F. AND A. M. 



Brethren : 

At its late Annual Communication, the M. W. Grand Lodge unanimously 
adopted the following resolution : 

" »'^e/-e«s, The 80th day of April next will be the Centennial Anniversary of 
the Inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States, 
he being at that time, and until the day of his death, an honored member of our 
Fraternity, therefore be it 

" Rpnolved, 'J'hat the M. W. Grand Master be requested to convene the Grand 
Lodge of Louisiana in the city of New Orleans, in a Special Session, on that day, in 
commemoration of tliat important event, and that a Committee of seven Masters 
of Lodges be appointed by the M. W. Grand Master, to make all necessary prepa- 
I'ations for the ceremonials on that occasion." 

In obedience to this resolution,! appointed the following committee, for ob- 
vious rea'ions drawing exclusively trom city Lodges, viz.: 

Worshipful A. G. Brice, of Friends of Harmony Lodge No. 58; Z. T. Black, Per- 
fect Union Lodge No. 1; L. Escat, Polar Star Lodge No. 1; .Jose Venta, Cervantes 
Lodge No. 5; R. D. Screven, Louisiana Lodge No. 102; G. B. Sbarboro, Danie Lodge 
No. 174; J. L. Beers, .Jefferson Lodge No. 191. 

The Committee has met and agreed upon the outlines of a programine, the 
execution of which, liowever, will depend on the co-operation of the members of 
the fraternity throughout the State. 

It is proposed to convene and open the Grand T-odge for a session on the noon 
of the 30ih of April, for which a proi;ramme of appropriate commemorative exer- 
cises, consisting of addresses, orations, etc., shall be arranged. After a recess the 
Grand Lodsre will reassemble, and a Masonic banquet sliall close the festivities, in 
which not only the members of the Grand l>odge, but the Fraternity at large should 
participate. 

Tlie cost of the banquet, and as nearly as possible the expense incident to 
the entertainment, should be met by personal or Lodge subscription. 

It is absolutely necessary to know how many of the brethren will take part in 
the banquet, and what funds will be at the disposal of the committee. 

It is important that the Lodges take imme<liate steps to ascertain how many of 
the members will so assisL and take part in the banquet, and what contributions 
the committee may reasonablj' ex])ect to receive. 

The most desirable result would be that the Lodges act as bodies in tlie matter 
and so give dignity and significance to tlie undertaking. 

I slirink from exercising doubtful power, but in tlie interest of our Fraternity, 
realizing how important it is to us that tins celebration, whether wisely or un- 
wisely begun, should be in every way satisfactory and successful, I would suggest, 
if I cannoii order, that the subject matter ol this circular be made the special busi- 



SI'i:ciAI. COM Ml 



m 



\ri()N OF Till'; 



ncss of :i mpptinsol tlie Loiifje .subsequent l<> its reading, and tliat llie members be 
specially notified :iii(l feijiiested to attend. 

The IjOflfres will pb'ase communicutp the result to the Committee, Wor. A. <>. 
Brice, Chairman, tliroujili the (iraiid .Secretary's office. 



Ihll 



CHAS. V. BITCK, (Hand Master. 






<j3-<-t, 



This connuittce of seven ( 7) met on the 24tli and 2Slli <>l' Feb- 
i-uary, wlien. by and at tlie eoiuniittee's request, the Grand Mas- 
ter authorized them to recoustitute themselves by the addition of 
one member from each Lod.oe in the city, and sucli (rrand Officers 
and I*ast Grand Oftieers as was deemed ex])edient. Tlie executive 
body so constituted organized and apiK>inted the various sub- 
committees. (See list of committees. ) 

The original committee (7) and the sub-commitlees met, and 
continued to meet, as retjuired. until the successful termination of 
tlie Commenu)rative Special ^Meeting of the (irand Lodge, as ex- 
pressed in the resolution adopted. During ^larch and April, the 
Grand jNIaster caused to be issued the following circulars. \iz : 

(iRAXT) :\rASTEll'S OFFICi:. 

THE GRAND LOIXJE OF THF STATE OF LOFISfANA, 

FRKE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. 

Nem- OKi.iiANS, March 11th, 1SH9. 

To the Maulers. Wnrdem and Hrethrvn, Consi.iiuent Lodijex, 

F. and A. M., Stale of Louisiana: 

Brethkkn : -Referring to the circular letter heretofore sent, relative to the 
George Washington Centennial Celebration, I desire to inform yon that tlieoriginal 
committee has, with the sanction of the tJraiuI Master, reconstituted itself and 
called to its aid preseiU, and past Grand Officers, and a represt-ntativc from every 
Lodge in the city of New Orleans. 

The committee so organized held a meetimr on Sunday, March lOlh, at M'hich 
more definite and specific action than lieretofore intimated was finally taken, and 
I was specially requested by the committee to advise the Fraternity throughout 
the State thereof, that all may be correctly informed and govern themselves ac- 
cordingly. 

The committee resolved, in substance : 

First. That the (irand Lodge be convened and opened in ample form, etc., at ' 
about the liourof 12 m. or 1 p. m., in the Lodge room, south wing, in the Grand 
Lodge Hall. 

Second. That after the " opening" and such addresses or ceremonies as then 
and there may be desired or take place, labor in the Grand Lodge to be suspended 



OEANI) LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 7 

and the Grund Lodge repair to the lower or main hall, where the programme of ex- 
ercises shall be carried out in presence of the Fraternity at large and the invited 
guests. 

Third. Admission to these public ceremonies for non-Masons, ladies or gentle- 
men, shall be procured by means of an invitatlou card, which shall be issued by the 
comiriitiee and jilaced at the disposal of the brethren. 

Fourth. The programme of exei'cises is outlined to consist of two addre.sses or 
orations, one by the Grand Master and one by an orator, to be selected by the com- 
mittee for the occasion, and addresses from representatives of our non-English 
speaking Lodges, which shall be limited in time to fifteen minutes each; there will 
be appropriate prayer and vocal or instrumental music, or both ; the vocal music, if 
procured, 1o consist of the renderingof apiiropriate songs by a quartette of singers. 

Fifth. The banquet, as communicated iu the original circular, to be given in 
the evening. Afier full deliberation, taking everything pertinent to it into con- 
sideration, tlie committee concluded thut "only members of the Fraternity " shall 
participate in the banciuet, and that it should be given on the subscription plan ; 
that is, each participant being charged with his pro rata. 

The subscriptions may i>e paid by the brethren taking part, individually, or by 
their respective Lodges, according to the number attending. The Lodges and 
brethren will determine this for themselves. 

In this connection, a special committee of five, on banquet, with power to 
receive subscriptions, has l)een api>ointed, of which Uro. P. M. Schneidau, P. M. 
Union No. 172, is chairman. The Lodge.s and members may communicate with 
him. care of Grand .Secretary's office. 

'i'he oraters repre6Pnting1he foreign speaking I.odges,are to be selected by the 
Lodges themselves. The respective Lodges to which this applies will please 
take notice of this without additional foiuiai notification. 

As previously communicated, it is desirable that the expenses involved, other 
than those connected with tlie baiKiuet, should also be provided by per.sonal or 
Lodge subscription. The programme adopted is such that the outlay need not be 
large, and a small subscription from each odge, with such personal assistance as 
we inay reasonably expect, will be sufficient. 

All the Lodges will also take notice that this be considered the official call for 
the assembly of the Grand Lodge on the 30th of April next, at 12 m , at tlte Grand 
Lodge Hall, city of New Orleans, in special communication, to carry out the object 
of its resolutions at it last annual communication. 

The brethren are earnestly exhoried to enter with zeal and devotion into the 
spirit of our undertaking, that the result may be pleasing to ourselves and redound 
to the honor and benefit of the craft in the State. 

CHAS. F. BUCK Grand Master. 








Nkw Orleans, April loth, 1889, 

To the IF. Jl/., Wdrdena of Lodiir.t meetlnrj in. the Oily of New Orleans: 

-tJRKTHKEX: — Pursuant to resolution of the General Committee of 
Arrangements, " Washingon Centennial Celebration," you are requested 
to meet the Grand Master and said Committee in special meeting, in the 
Library Room of the Masonic Hall, on Wednesday evening, at half- 
past seven o'clock, to discuss and arrange, finally, the order of ceremony 
for the occasion. It was also 

Resolved, That at the appointed hour the Grand Lodge, having been " called 
off," shall proceed in body and in procession, under theorderof the Grand Marshal, 
clothed as Masons (apron and gloves), and the officers with their appropriate jewels, 
to the scene of the public exercises. 



8 SPKCIAi: ("OMMINICATIOX OF THE 

And further, that all Masons, in {rood standing, he requested to meet in tlie 
Grand lodge Hall not later than half-past twelve o'clock, p. M., of that day, to ac- 
comjiany the Grand liOdge to the i)iibllc hall, where they shall be assigned proper 
places bv the Itei-i^ption Committee. 

And further, that the W. Masters of Lodges instruct their respective Tylers to 
be at the Grand Liodge at said hour, provided with aprons and white gloves, that 
the brethren may be properly clotheil. 

Bhkth hi:n : Tliesc resolutions enil)f)<ly tlu' details wliieh seemed nee- 
essaf.v to insure siiecess ; hut the result, after all, depends oti j'ou. The 
Maso'nie Fraternity of tiie State has placed itself on piil)lie trijil. The 
M'hole eity will l>e in holiday attire ; Init ours seenis to lie the only organ- 
ized effort to eelelirate tlie t'vents of the day. 

The result will l>e accepted as a ti'st of ^lasonry in Louisiana. Are 
wi' a liviiijn-, aspirinsj:, proiiressive hody of workers, or idle worshippers 
of form aiul ceremony, shut away from the world's (>a7A', in our lodjre 
rooms? I am forced to these expressions hy a jieneral ttpathythat seems 
to prevail. 

It is not the "(irand Lodyc," it is the " Masonic Order" that cele- 
hrtites the day; if you do not do it worthily, in the spirit of a nohle and 
manly convictit)n, Masonry and the Masons of Louisiana, not its repre- 
.sentti'tives of the (irand Loiliic will deserve censure, if they do not incur 
ridicide aiul disaface. 

I make this appeal from a sense of duty, not of pride ; having done 
that, the responsihility is i)laced whcri- it belongs, in the conscience of 
every "obligated" Mason 

Where logdes hold meetings in time, the W. M. are requested to 
have the foregoing read to the brethn'ii. 

r , ' CHAS. F. BUCK, 

l^''- •'^•J Grand Master. 

ill llic meantime, tliet Irand Secretary fiiniislied to the lodj^es 
and hiethreii. l)y ])r(>giamine. iie\\sp;ii>ers. etc.. all the informa- 
tion obtainable. 

UnfortiHiately. lie was unable to make arrangements with all 
tlie lines of raili'oads. for a special rate, in time to notily the 
lodges ;ind bretliren. 

The following roads made tind notitied him of a rate, viz.: 
Illinois Central and (Ireat Xorthern, the Louisville. New Orleans 
and Texas (Valley route). Xoitheastern. East Louisiana. Louis- 
ville and Ntishville. 

On Tuesday. IheoOth (hiy of A])ril. 1SS9, at one o'clock, 1'. :\i., 
the M. W. Grand Lodge oltlie Stateof Louisiana. F. and A. M.. 
was eonvened in aecordanci? with a special resolution adopted at 
the Anuutil Grand Gommuniention in Febiiuiay last, and met in 
the Grand Lodge hall, in New Orleans, corner St. Charles and 
Perdidf) streets, and wtis o])ened in ample form by the Grand 
Master, M. AV. Charles Francis Bu(^k. tissisted by the following- 
Grand Officers, viz. : 



GKAND LODGE OK LOUISIANA. 9 

GEO, H. PACKWOOD R. W. Deputy (irand Master. 

S. N. FORD, P. D. D. G. M as R. W. Grand Senior Warden. 

AVM. T. BENEDICT R. W. Grand Junior Warden. 

ARTHUR W. HYATT R. W. Grand Treasurer. 

JAS. C. BATCHELOR, M. D R. W. Hrand Secretary. 

Rev. HERMAN C. DUNCAN W. Grand Cliaplain. 

PAUL M. SCHNP:IDAU W. Grand Senior Deacon. 

GEO. S. PETTIT, P. D. D. G. M W. (irand Junior Deacon. 

GEO. J. PINCKARD, P. D. D. G. M W. Grand Marslial. 

G. B. SBARBORO (since deceased) W. Grand Sword Bearer. 

HENRY HAMBURGER W. Grand Pursuivant. 

GEO. W. RICHARDSON, P. D. D. G. M. as W. Grand Steward. 

PHILIP PFEFFP^R, P. D. D. G. M W. Grand Steward. 

ZAC. T. BLACK W. Grand Steward. 

OWEN GERNON, W. Grand Steward. 

THOS. CRIPPS Grand Organist. 

E. B. O'SULLIVAN Grand Tyler. 

The M. W. Grand Master stated briefly and clearly the object 
of the assembly and special meeting of the Grand Lodge. Tlien 
Acting Grand Secretary, Bro. Richard Lambert, read the pro- 
loosed programme, which, on motion. Avas unanimously adopted. 
The Grand Master announced that the ceremonies would be in 
accordance Avith the printed programme. He then susjoended the 
labors of the lodge room, for the purpose of engaging in the pub- 
lic ceremonies of the day ; directed R. W. Bro. Geo. J. Pinckard, 
tlie W. Grand ^Marshal, to form the procession. It was done ; 
and the Grand Lodge, with its visitors, Past Grand Officers, Rep- 
resentatives, and the Craft generally, proceeded in procession to 
the St. Gharles Theatre, the Grand Lodge being preceded by the 
banner of George Washington Lodge l\o. (35 (a full length por- 
trait of Bro. George Washington, in full Masonic regalia), with 
W. M. Owen (iernon and his officers as its escoil. The attend- 
ance was large : when the head of the procession reached the 
theatre the rear of it was at the hall. The Grand Lodge and 
Craft filed in through the open columns and through the great 
am])hitheati'e. The band of the Continental Guards was in the 
orchestra : as the head of the column reached the entrance, it 
played a grand march. 

The stage was occupied by the Grand Officers, Past Grand 
Officers, Orators, the Chairmen of Committees, Grand Re])rchent- 
atives, and the banner, Mith its guard of honor. 



10 Sl'l'.ClAI, COArMW^CATlON oF TIIK 

Tlic ( 'rait lillcd the |i;U'(|U»'t1t'. while l)o\('s, (livss circle and 
galleries wei-e used l>y 1 he public. The boxes and dress circle 
were filled with beaut ilully dressed ladies. It was oiu^ of th(» 
largest and most brilliant assemblies of Masonic Ci'aft and its 
friends, that had occurred in this city foi- many yeais. 

The ceremonies at the theatre were opened by K. ^^'. P>ro. A. 
(i. Ilrice, the Chairman ol' (he Executive Coiumittee. who. in a 
few well ch(>seu words, introduced M. W. Samuel M. Todd, the 
Senior Past (Jraud INFaster. as presiding ofiicei', who spoke as 
follows : 

Ladiks and Gentlemen and Bketiiken : — The Masons of I.ouis- 
iaua have assembled liere to-day to celebrate in lui appropriate manner 
tlie Centennial Anniversary of the inau<;urati<)n of Ge()r<i:e Washington, 
first President of the United States of America, eompletinn' tlie organi- 
zation of a constitutional jiovernment for our country that has stood the 
test of time and trial for one hundred years, and stands to-day pre-enn- 
nent amongst the si'overnmentsof the world as a nation of a free and 
united people. 

It isennnently right and proi)er that the Masonic Fratenuty should 
join their fellow citizens in connnenu)rating so important an epoch in 
our country's history, not only as good law-abiding citizens, but also in 
testimony of their love and veneration for the memory of that illustrious 
brother who stood foremost among the people of our land in their strug- 
gle for independence, whose purity as a patriot and greatness of charac- 
ter as a man won for him the admiration of the civilized world, and 
made him the choice of our whole people as their tirst President. 

PYeemasons of every age and country have l)eeu, and are, tirm be- ' 
lievers in the existence of a Supreme Being, an All Wise and All Pow- 
erful Creator and Preserver of the Universe, whose name is never men- 
tioned l)y them but with that awe and reverence that is due from a 
creature to his Creator, imploring His aid upon their laudal)le under- 
takings, and looking to Him in every emergeiu-y for comfort and sup- 
jjort. This greitduty is strongly impressed upon every Mason upon his 
first entrance into this Order. And, therefore, in aecordaiu'c with our 
princii)les and time-honored usage, I call upon our Reverend Grand 
Chapbdn, W. Bro. Duncan, to lead us in an ottering of praise and 
thanksgiving to Alnughty God for thi' continued existence and pros- 
))erity of our country, the welfare of our Ancient Order, His aid for the 
future, and to invoke His l)lessing upon our i)resent convention. 

Kev. Hei-man (\ Duncan. ^\^ (ii-and ('hai)lain. then made the 
following i)rayei' : 

Almighty and Most 3»b'i'ci fid Father, wboarttbe Author and Maker 
of the T^uiverse, the Designer and the Sustainer of the Nations and ( Jov- 



GKAND 1A)I)(;E OF LOUISIANA. 11 

ernments of the WorUl, we laud and inaguify Tby glorious name for all 
Thy mercies vouchsafed unto us, but more especially do we render Thee 
our thanks and praises for the strength and beneticence of the govern- 
ment which is ours. As we assemlde to-day to commemorate the inau- 
guration of that government, we would give Thee all thanks for the wis- 
dom of mind, the strength of soul, the beauty of intelligence witli which 
Thou didst endow Thy servants who framed it, and specially for that 
competency of those virtues with which Thou did Ijless him who was the 
first President of these United States. We thank Thee that he was 
enabled to learn the essential character of those supports to the rearing 
of institutions of permanent character. The influence upon the life of 
our brother in training him and teaching him which the system of Spec- 
ulative Freemasonry exerted, is evident ; and we tender Thee our thanks 
that Thou didst permit so eminent an exemplitication of the great ben- 
efit of our belo\ed Fraternity. And now, () King of kings and Lord of 
lords, we humbly beseech Tiiee that Tliou wouldst be graciously pleased 
to continue tliese Thy mercies to us. Bless the rulers of this people, and 
maintain through them the charter of their liberties. If it be Thy will, 
let generation after generation meet to put themselves in mind of its 
hlessings and its far reaching privileges. Let the teachings of brother- 
hood and fraternity among the sons of men, whatever be their speech or 
language, prevail and mould all into one harmonious mass, whose only 
strife shall be the emulation to prove who best can serve the interests 
<)f his kind and best agree in their promotion. And for these. Thy mer- 
<-ies and most kindly gifts, we will ever magnify Thy glorious uame. 
Amen. 

The Quartette Club and Frolisiun Society tlien occupied the 
front of the stage and sang : 

ffvAtp:rnal song. 

(Translated for the occasion by Bro. Sai.omon Marx.) 

Brethren, Join the hand fraternal. 
Into realms sublime, eternal. 
Lead this festive hour's delight ; 
Though all earthly things are fleeting, 
Friendship's harmonies come greeting, 
Everlasting, pure and lu'ight. 

Thank the Lord, praise Him elated, 
Who has heart and mind created, 
Striving on eternally. 
IJght and right, and Virtue's treasures. 
Aided by Truth's holy measures, 
Our divine vocation be. 



12 SPECIAT. COMliP^K'ATlOX Ol' TIFK 

■S'f, tlu' hrst ol' uicii, \s liilc (IwcHiiiLr 
()M this jaIoIk', Ik" yc cxcvlliii^-, 
Whether East, South, West or Nortli, 
Pri/hiti- triitli and virtue dearly, 
Loviiiii (Jod and man sincerely, 
Sliall our wati'iiword l)c hcm-ctorth. 

TIm' ^l. W. Presidenl then iiitioduced M. W. (Miailes Kfaiicis 
Muck, (iraud ^Master, who dcli\ered the lollowin.n' opeiiinj:; ad- 
dress : 

FUKKMASONS OF Loi'lSIAXA, TjADIKS AND ( JlOXTLKM KN, I.NVITHM) 

GrKSTS : — There is no l)eauty in life but in that i)artof it which is ever- 
lasting; no nu-rit inetfbrt, except such as leaves the impress of its aim, in 
permanence, on the editice of human development. The splendor of the 
sunli<jht is the grandest glory of physical nature : l)Ut the brilliancy of 
yesterday would be forgotten in the glare of to-day if we did not know that 
in the warmth of its rays are borne the seeds of life, the germs of ever- 
recurring generation and regeneration. So in the moral world of tliought 
and spiritual effort, those achievements oidy are inemorablc and cher- 
ished which liid\ themselves worthily into our consciousness and hope 
of ati ever-ascending ])rogress. 

Such achievements we are here to commemorate ; in such we are our- 
sehes participant actors. And all the people of this great country are 
with us in spirit and in fact ; and not in this country oidy, but wher- 
ever, throughout the globe, the light of progress has carried the love of 
liberty, mankiiul celebrates the birth of the American Rei)ublic, ex- 
pressed in the inauguration of the first chosen President of her people. 

It is not my intention, nor is it a part of the i)rogrannneof this occa- 
sion, that I should speak to you, at length, on the merits of this event 
and its manifold suggestions. I could not do so without trespassing on 
the domain of those who have kindly acceptecl the duty assigneil to 
them in that respect. 

The whole duty which appei'taius to my function is, perhaps, ful- 
tilled when, in the name of the Masonic Fraternity of the State of l.oui.s- 
iana, I welcome you to the celebration of the Centennial Aniuversary 
of the inauguration of (George Washington as President of the United 
States, and thank you for the generous a])])reciation of the event, as 
evidenced by your ])resence 

The Freemasons of Louisiana deemed tlic event worthy of this com- 
memorative service. Their just pride in the fact that the tir.st President 
of the United States, the great and good Washington, was a member of 
the Fraternity, liut moie especially the relation which the duties and 
principles of Freemasonry bear from the point of view of human welfare 
to this most important event in the temporal iustory of our race, make 
it peculiarly ap])ropriate that the Masons should take a special interest 
in its celebration. 



GKAXD L0D(;E of LOUISIANA. 13 

It i^ not the mere circuinstaiu-e tliat on tliis day a hundred years 
ago the tirst President of the United States took upon iiimself the oath 
and duties of his office, that make it memorable. It is ratlier, tliat tlie 
event marl^s the climax of the development of an epoch which, 
l)e8inning with the Declaration of Independence, culminated in com- 
plete realization, with the adoption of the Constitution of the United 
States. The colonies had gained their independence ; they had con- 
quered the foreign foe. They had yet to conquer themselves ; to subdue 
their jealousies and overcome their dissensions. Liberty had been 
achieved ; but it was .\et undetermined whether it was to be liberty, a 
blessing, with order, peace and mutual protection, or liberty, a curse 
going, reckless and uncontrolled, to confusion chaos and ruin. 

It may serve some useful purpose, as a lesson worth pondering, to 
recall l)y means of one illustration, a glimpse at the uncertain condition 
of things which preceded the. establishment of the government under 
its permanent Constitution. In the preamble to the resolutions adopted 
by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to elect 
delegates to the convention, we hud this exposition of the necessities of 
the situation : 

"And whereas, the General Assembly of the Commonwealth, taking 
into view the actual situation of the Confederacy, as well as retiecting on 
the alarming representations made, from time to time, by the United 
States Congress, jjarticularly in their Act of the loth February last, can 
no longer doubt the crisis is arrived at which the good people of America 
are to decide the solemn question — whether they will, by wise and mag- 
nanimous efforts, reap the just fruits of that independence which they 
have so gloriously acquired, and of that Union which they have cement- 
ed with so much of their conuiion blood, or whether, by giving way to 
unmanly jealousies and prejudices or to partial or transitory intei'ests, 
they will renounce the auspicious blessings prepared for them by the 
revolution, and furnish to its enemies an eventful triumph over those 
by whose valor and virtue it was accomplished." Therefore, etc., etc. 
Clearly, from this, the fruits of the victory had not Iteen secured : in- 
deed, it seemed as if they might be lost in the wilds of discord, local 
dissensions and prejudices. 

The event we celebrate to-day tells the story of the struggles' end 
how virtue and pati'iotism prevailed, and mankind was made forever 
secure in the possession of the blessings of liberty, under the Constitu 
tion of the United States- 

My scope in this day's exercise shall be to show how we, as Free- 
masons, feel a special duty in regard to the event, and enjoy a special 
honor in reference to the person of its hero, 

George Washington was a Freemason. He received his degrees iu 
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, Fredericksburg, Va. He was initiated on 
the 4th of November, 1752; passed to Fellow Craft on March 3, and 
raised a Master Mason on August 4, 1753. From these dates it would 
aijpear that Washington had received the degrees before he had attained 



11 SIMOCIAI. coM^^MCArioN OF I'lll'; 

the n'j;v of twc'iity-oiu- years. This is jjc'iU'rally explained as liaviii<j^ 
occurred uiuler " spoeial dispensation," Init jjerhaps more plausildy on 
the theory that he was so " much more elder than his" years; that ho 
was accepted as of "mature au;e," and no (piestion was made or su<rgested 
itself in regard to it. His l)io<iraphers iid"orm us that "at the ajjce of sev- 
t'Uteen he was surveyor of the county of Culpeper, and at nineteen adju- 
tant-j2eneral, with the raid^ of major, in the militia of \'ir;iinia." 

In 17S.S, Eihnond Randolph, (iovernor of Viriiinia, and (Jrand Mas- 
ter of Masons, constituted and chartered Alexandria Ijod>re No. 22, with 
(xeorji^e Washinuton and others as constituent members. In 1805, this 
Lodffe changed its name to " Washinuton-Alexandria," in connnemo- 
ration of Washington's memhcrship. In giving these facts, I (juote, of 
course, from puhlislied accuunts ; 1 have had no opportunity to verify 
them hy reference to the original records Tiiere was a time wlien the 
enemies of JNIasonry were reckless e ough to deny Washington's mem- 
l)ership in the Order. That dispute is eftectuallv set at rest. 'IMie evi- 
dence is overwhehning of his continued attachment to Masonry to the 
end of his life. 

In this connection it may l)e of interest, at least to my brother Ma- 
sons, to know that Perfect Union Lodge No. 1 of this jurisdiction — then 
existing under charter from the (;rrand Orient of Charleston, S. C. — took 
formal action on the death of George Wasliington, as that of a renowned 
and illustrious brother. At a conununication of the Lodge, held towards 
the end of December, 1790 — P.rother Washington having died on the 
13th — supplemented by proceedings of January 2d, 1800, it w'as resolved 
that a " funeral oration " should be delivered to his memory, in the en- 
virons of the Lodge. The "minutes" of the Lodge do not inform us 
Avhether or how this resolution was carried out ; but they record, that 
on March ISth, 1800, an oration delivered by one Brother Chandron, 
before the Lodge " L' Amenity," of Philadelphia, Pcnn., was read, and 
" its sublime and elevating sentiments " approved by the brethren 
present. 

Many of the most illustrious heroes of our early history, some famous 
in council, others in war, were his brethren. Lafayette and Benjamin 
Franklin, and Peyton Randolph, first I*resident of the ContinentalOon- 
gress, were among them. (Jeneral Jacob Morton, who was " JNIarshal of 
the day " on the memorable occasion, one hundred years ago, was W. 
M. of St. Johns' Lodge of New York, and Chancellor Robert R. Living- 
ston, who administered to Washington the oath which made him Pres- 
ident, was Cirand Master of Masons of New York at the time. 

In the "Old AVorld, " Freemasonry, with sweei)ing grasp, had taken 
on its present form, and statesmen, scholars and poets were captivated 
by its progressive philosopliy of human aim and mission. 

It would take us too far into the domain of historic abstraction to 
follow the marks of the Masonic idea of progress and development inthe 
events of the social and political "renaissance" which, moving all 
through the commotions of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 15 

found expression, and " local habitation," in the gospel of perpetual and 
inalienable rights proclaimed to the world by our forefathers, on the 4th 
of July, 1776. The same spirit, impelled perhaps to excess by the.strained 
conditions of its development, culminaled in P^urope in the liberie, fra- 
tcrnite et ecjaliU of the French Revolution. 

This evolution merits a closer, if but momentary, considi-ration. In 
England, the inductive philosophy of Francis liacon has been esteemed 
the dawning path along which grew into light the modern creed of per- 
sonal freedom and responsibility. The deism of Hume and Gibbon and 
Bolingbroke and others more brilliant thansincere, in its excess of world- 
liness, scattered the seeds of disintegration and chaos. But underlying 
their materialism was a stratum of general truths which contributed to 
theemancii)ation of our race from ignorance and political bondage. In 
Germany, Freemasonry became the vehicle through which was propa- 
gated the philosophy of the coming era. Lessing's tribute to its humane 
universality might have inspired a .Jeftersrm. In France, Voltaire, the 
scotter, shook the stability of things, and llousseau, the child of nature, 
startled the world with Ills communistic sentimentality. Thomas Paine 
was an extravagant oft-shoot of the new philosoi>hy ; yet even his poi- 
sonous and pernicious missiles left a trail which, rightly followed, might 
conduct to the fountain of truth. The excesses of these restless spirits 
were the snapping of the bow too lot ig held in violent tension. Their minds 
swept the course of centuries and saw mankind ()pi)ressed, degraded and 
besotted in blind subjection ; made savage, almost in the loss of conscious- 
ness of its own worth and dignity. Their own pride felt outraged by the 
ignoble spectacle, and in their zeal to make men free and to regenerate 
them, they went too far ; liberty was license ; religious freedom meant 
freedom from all religion — that is, no religion at all. The flash of the 
guillotine's deadly knife will shock the heart of generations to come, a 
constant witness to the experience of mankind that unchecked fury is 
not liberty — degradation is not equality, and communism is not frater- 
nity. 

Violence and passion, and even prejudice, may start on correct 
lines, but the ni;)tion soon becomes eccentric and alinormal. The great 
episodes of history are a series of movements well designed, rooted in 
the field of progressive aim, but generally carried by the momentum of 
passion, special interest or personal ambition, beyond the limits oftruth 
and justice. Hence, progress, " over-leaping" itself, is always followed 
by reaction. 

Free men, unprejudiced, humane men, citizens of the world whose 
nationality is humanity, have existed in all ages of the race, but they 
had flourished as philosophers, as theorists only, or idealists, bound in 
by surroundings which precluded practical results. It was reserved to 
the pioneers of the new world to develop into a nation of such. Tutored 
in the hard school of jihysical toil and necessity, their progress was reg- 
ular and the results pei'manent, because the philosophy of government 
towards which they drifted, and which they materialized, grew natu- 



16 SPKCIAl- COMMUNICATION OF TIIK 

rally ill tlu' soil of iiorsoiia^T'lf-rcliance to which they lia<l hccii ('(lii- 

cated. The mastt'i-spirits of the tiiiie, estiinatiiiij: tlu' (;oii(litions at their 

full value, hrouji'ht to hear upon theiu the promises of new faiths, and 

the charter of eiiiaMeii)atioii was ])roelainie(l which made freedom and 

eciuality a political and practical fact. When (Jeor^e Washington, 

therefore, this day one hundred yi'ars aji'o, assumed the administration 

of the yovermnent, he was invested witii none of the symbols of power 

hy which kinj^s rule sul)|ects, he simply took a solemn oath to serve 

faithfully a nation of e(iuals. 

Thismueh had been uccomplislied in the movement of mald^in(l. 

It seems to us now a very natural and simple step; l)Ut measured hy the 

chasm which had to be crossed, it was a tremendous leap. It end)odies 

the struj^gltisof nearly sixty centuries. The jireat achievement reacted 

and still reacts on the conditions of the Old World. Tlie batth for 

emancipation is general ; its progress is slow, because it moves over the 

fall of traditions venerable in immemorial custom : 

" By a thousand IoukIi and stringy roots, 
Fixed in the people's pious nursery faith." 

When rai)id, as in the case of the people of France, it rebounds in 
the shock of its own violence, losing at least some of the fruits of its 
.sacrifices. But the principle is recognized, and it is working out its own 
results. The veil litis been rent asunder, behind which lay brooding, 
like iucubi of evil, the errors, the prejudices, and the false faiths of a 
score of centuries. The feudal, regal and imperial prerogatives are favSt 
stripping oft" " the divinity that hedged them in :" the world is i)repared 
to receive the more natural doctrine of personal worth. The claim to the 
right of sufirage, and all tliat that implies, moving steadily to become 
universal, cannot be repressed, and rapidly success is becoming a (jues- 
tion of merit and the peace and happiness of mankind one of education 
and individual culture. 

/i nd where does Freemasonry stand in all this struggle? Has it had 
no part or share inall this glorious evolution? Has it been an idle thing 
— a pastime merely of its votaries, a thing of " sound and fury," without 
mission and without scope ? If that were so, we coidd not, as a body, lay 
claim to any distinctive connection or merit, in the event we celebrate, 
except that Washington was a Mason, which would become an insignifi- 
cant circumstance if Masonry itself were aimless and unimportant. But 
we know that it is a vital creative factor in the civilization of our race. 
We have felt the presence of its teachings in the re-awakening of man- 
kind. We know that while it does not engage in the contentions of pol- 
itics, religion or government, holding, on the contrary, that order and 
submission to constituted authority is a duty, it teaches those rules of 
life and individual culture, which, under tlie banner of universal tolera- 
tion, make men free and equal. 

Freemasonry bears on high the advance-standard of the ideal lie 
public of mankind. It erects a temple spacious as the vaults of heaven 
in which all the world may worship, — for in the name of the one living 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 17 

God is taught the brotherhood of man. Do not the thoughtful and hu- 
mane intuitively feel that there must be something wrong in an order 
of things which makes men hostile and draws them apart from each 
other, Avhen God and nature proclaim that all are one? Why should a 
man be less to me because he is not of my country or my religion? Ma- 
sonry t^lls the Catholic and the Protestant, the peasant and the prince, 
the Christian and Jew, the American and the European, — enter my 
port lis, all alike welcome, and forget that you are, except that you 
are the children of one God, members of one family, toilers in one com- 
mon struggle, traveling, altogether, along the weary vales of trial and 
darkness, in search of the light of peace, happiness and perfection. 

O, what a sublime height of human thought, of God-like ambition 
opens before us! The " jjerfect man" is the lost treasure which we 
seek : the resurrection of the victim of the passions, of ignorance, of 
prejudice, of injustice — the elevation of man — that, redeemed and regen- 
erated, he may be reinvested with the worthiness becoming the image 
of His Maker! In this aspect of its mission Masonry might be called 
the religion of pure humanity, for while " trust in God " is the rock on 
which its works are erected, it aims to attain its ends by purely rational 
and human processes. This is the difference between hand "revealed" 
religion: the latter re-establishes the union of God and man by a spirit- 
ual tie — by tlie universal atonement accomplished on the cross of Cal- 
vary, which appeased justice and opened the way to mercy ; while Ma- 
sonry takes man as he is, "with all his imperfections on his head," 
encouraged by the consciousness of his capacity to comprehend and 
attain a state of perfect goodness and purity, to which, under the guid- 
ance of truth and virtue, it seeks to elevate him, by his own efforts. 
( 'oncerniug itself with human wants, and human needs, only, it stops 
short of the doctrine of divine sacrifice. In other words, it is a human 
institution, seeking to attain man's highest possible development from 
a purely human standpoint, without encroaching upon, detracting from 
and, least of all, touching the point of antagonism with the domain and 
mission of the church. 

Freemasonry has aliout it nothing casual or haphazard ; founded in 
the nature of man, it has always been and always will be. And what 
are the deerh of Freemasonry? I pass by those which may be expected 
from every good man, from every sympathetic heart, from every faithful 
citizen of the State. These are myriads, but they are common. Hun- 
dreds, millions, individuals and associations^ practice deeds of charity 
and benevolence ; the virtues acting in these are universal. Masonry 
makes explicit profession of them, and by organized and systematic 
effort increases practical results, Init it cannot and does not make dis- 
tinctive claim to them. 

" But this I will say," writes Ephraim Lessing, a vigorous and crit- 
ical thinker, more than a century ago—" the real deeds of Freemasonry 
are so great that centuries may pass ere one can say 'this has it accom- 
plished ;' and yet it lias worked on all the good that is in the world * 
2 



18 si'KciAi, ('():\nflm!('.\Ti()\ oi' the 

* * * ami it will continue to labor on and for the uood that i-vcr will 
exist ill the world." 

Deep and conipreiieiisive words ; hut every true Mason understands 
their import. It is the eonelusion drawn from the universal humanity 
of Freemasonry ; how, eliminatiiiji- all accidental and casual character- 
istics ami elements, it unites men on the l)road level of that whicli tiiey 
have in common— their wants, their efforts and their hoi)es. 

"Brotherly love, relief and truth," is the homely i)liraseolo^fy in 
which is expressed the universality of Masonic aim. The words .sound 
so familiar that we accept their superficial import without realizing their 
comprehensive scope. A deeper <rlaiice reveals the world-wide magni- 
tude of the columns around which these crowns of heart-glory are woven. 
That there may be " brotherly love," there must l)ee(|Uality and mutual 
esteem ; the sense of ecjuality must be founded in worth It has been 
said (Findel, "On Freemasonry"), " Theology accepts man as a fallen 
creature — a sinner that must l)e redeemed . Freemasonry deals with him 
as a being endowed with the capacity for infinite development and cul- 
ture." In this consciousness and the as<i)i rat ions which it engenders, lie 
the ])hilosophy of equality and the concrete result — " brotherly love." 

Masonry's first lesson is, that self-knowledge is the foundation of 
all wisdom ; self-control the source of all strength; self-elevation tlu- 
beauty of all personal effort. The foundation laid in the individual, the 
effect becomes mutual, the movement universal, i)ractical charity and 
relief result as logical conseciuence ; charity in deed and in thought. 
We are not only to relieve ]thysical want and distress ; we are to teach 
aiid practice frivdom from illusions and prejudices ; we are not to be 
arrogant in prosperity nor despairing in adversity ; we are to circum- 
scribe our passions, overcome selfishness, and in all things deal with our 
fellow-beings under the generous restraints of temperance, patience, for- 
titude and forbearance : the whole broad scope of it all resting on the 
pillars of love and illumined l)y the divine light of truth. 

Freemasonry gathers together those who seek this light ; it collects 
and combtnes into an harmonious system of life, those elements and 
factors in human conduct and motive which tend to conciliate strife and 
allay discontent ; choosing that which unites, rejecting that which 
severs ; passing by as of no significance that which is personal or " cas- 
ual," to give prominence to that which is universal, immutable, eternal ; 
carrying on high the standard of human dignity in its mission to main- 
tain our faith in the triumph of truth. 

The principles of Freemasonry are the i)roi)erty of mankind. " 'I'liey 
l>revail (adapting again from Brother Fendel, a (German Masonic writer) 
wherever human society is ordered and developed to perfect morality 
to general well-being and internal concord, on the ideas of wisdom, 
strength and beauty." Towards these conditions the world is moving, 
and the resistance of hostile influences cannot perpetually hinder the 
consummation. "The opposition of Ciiurch and State has checked 
neither the advance of science nor the nrogress of Freemason rv : it has 



GKAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 11> 

strengthened both ; for hving power gains strength when it surmounts 
obstaeles." 

Now, whetlier Masonry, as sueli directly, or its principles acting in- 
dependently through the minds of men devoted to human enfranchise- 
ment and progress, are more entitled to the glory of the result, is matter 
of no consequence. It suttices to know that the "Declaration of Inde- 
pendence" breathed the spirit of universality which makes Masonry what 
it is, and its ott'-spring, the Constitution of the United States of America, 
is the greatest " triumph of truth " attained by man in the economy of 
social and political development. 

It behooves us, indeed, therefore, as men, as citizens of this country, 
foreign l)orn as well as American, and as citizens of tlie world's Republic 
of Freemasonry, to celebrate an event so full of signiticance and effect. 
Historically the property of America, the import is cosmopolitan ; its 
progressive and beneficent effects take in the whole human race ; the 
greatest .\iasonic characteristic lies in the fact that the great structure 
of human liberty, completed for use this day a century ago, rests its corner 
stone on the rock of personal right and universal equality. 

But the immediate oljject of our celebration has a personal, though 
for that a none-the less dignified import. It is impossible to disconnect 
the inauguration of the first President from the princii)les of the govern- 
ment which connnenced to operate with the sound of his voice, raised to 
Heaven in solemn pledge and promise. But while the establishment 
of civil government, under conditions giving assurance that the boon of 
liberty had been forever secured, is an event which should always be 
cherished, the great fountain of ever-living pride will spring eternally 
in the American — the human heart, that the hero was worthy of the 
occasion. 

George Washington, Father of our Country ! Historians, poets and 
orators have laid their dearest tributes at thy feet ; and, on thy head, the 
laurel of jiure devotion and immaculate patriotism. As we grasp in the 
scope of our vision the country and the men of April oOth, 1789, we feel 
indeed the presence of the genius of Thomas Jefferson, the untiring 
energy of Alex. Hamilton, the humanity of Benjamin Franklin — the 
worth and grandeur of a nation of patriots : — b&t towering above them 
all stands he, the immortal Washington, the all embracing one, majestic 
in personal, as exalted in moi'al stature, gathering around his lustrous 
brow the virtues and the triumphs of his age. Bteru, solemn and aus- 
tere, he was suljlime in his devotion to truth, to duty and to justice. If 
he had little of that glittering quality that " eagle-plumes men's souls," 
he had all of that gentler worth that makes them truly great in the un- 
consciousness of greatness. He has taken his place in history as the one 
incorruptible figure, impervious to the flattery of success and unseduced 
by the temptations of power ; and he will hold it forever, more imper- 
ishable, in this, than the liberty he gave to posterity. This may be lost ; 
the Republic itself may perish ; the ravages of time work ruin w^here 
now teems prosperity housed in magnificent al)odes ; the passions of men 



'20 SPECIAL COMMrNTCATION OF TIIK 

luiiy (k'soorate tlio hlols of the past, and l)iii(l a^aiii in cliaiiis of l)()n(l- 

ago and oppix'ssion the dignity of degraded niaiiliood ; t)Ut so long as 

love of liluTty, of justice and truth shall abide in the human heart, to 

nourish its faith in a final and perpi'tual regeneration, so long will the 

glory and the memory of Washington prevail. 

* * "a w.itch-word such as n"er 
Shall sink, while there's an echo left to air." 

How far Washington's eliaraeter and career may have been influ- 
enced by the teachings of Masonry cannot be conjectured, much less 
known. But, surely, they must have affected him in the same manner 
in which they operate on every good and true man. Letters which 
have come down to us show us that he deeply felt and appreciated the 
])rincii)les of Freemasonry " as founded in benevolence and to be exer- 
cised only for the good of mankind." In 17H1 he wrote to the Grand 
Lodge of South Carolina : " I recogni/e with pleasure my relation to 
the brethren of the society. * * * * * 

" Your sentiments on the establishment of our cqanf, government are 
worthy of an association wliose principles lead to })urity of morals and 
are beneficial of action." And in the same year, to the members of St. 
David's Lodge, at Newport, R. I. : " Being persuaded that a. just appli- 
cation of the principles on M'hich the Masonic Fraternity is founded 
must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always 
be happy to advance the interests of the society and to be considered as 
a deserving brother." These utterances show, at least, that the teach 
ings of Masonry were in accord with his own high convictions. They 
made severe and exact his sense of strict morality and justice ; prepared 
him for those trials of patience and fortitude and self-denial in the pangs 
of which were woven the most precious threads in the diadem of his 
glory ; and expanded in him that sanctity of reverence, humility and 
dependence, which, in his extreme distress, like a last hope, brought him 
to his knees, in the open cold, amidst the snows of Valley Forge, to im- 
plore, upon his sutt'ering people, the aid and guidance of his Heavenly 
Father. 

It is well known (hat Wasliingtou was not a man of much school 
learning ; he read but little. He was reflective, ratlier, and self-reliant 
that is. he looked into his own conscience as his nearest friend ; his sense 
of justice was his safe and constant guide; and it i)roved, through the 
whole course of his life, an infallible one. 

Such a man is the ideal, the perfect Mason ; his .soul reflects uncon - 
sciously the great truths of Masom-y. 

Such a man, such a Mason, we honor and venerate in George Wash- 
ington. The man of men, the model of mankind — his work, like his 
glory, is universal, and his name, enshrined in a sacred and es])ecial 
niche in every enlightened heart throughout the world, will evci- re- 
flect the beneficent radiance of God-like innnortality. 

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and fellow-citizens, in the name of 
the Masonic Fraternity of Louisiaiui, I wecome you to this sacred service 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 21 

to the memory of "our" Washington. May but a Uttle of that devo- 
tion and patriotism which so upheld him, in the hour of trial, bestir 
itself in your — in all our hearts, that Ave may never cease to pray for the 
maintenance of our free institutions and ever vow to devote our most 
zealous eftoi'ts to the preservation of our liberties, for the glory of our 
country and Melfare of mankind. 

Mtjsio — Star Spangled Banner. 

TheM. W. President then introduced Rev. and Wor. Brother 
Wni. A. Snively. D. D., Pastor of Trinity Chnrcli, the orator of 
tlie day. 

OR^TIOISr. 

Most Worshipful Griiiid Master, Bretliren of llie Order, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

\ye celebrate to-day the concluding centennial of the series of events 
which consummated the birth of our nation and gave it a place among 
the i)eox)les of the earth. The special event we commemorate, the in- 
auguration of Washington as the first President of the United States, 
was the crowning result of two preceding and preliminary periods of our 
history, and the initiatory act of a third epoch, amid whose early and 
incomplete developments we are living to-day. 

Thirteen years ago we celebrated the signing of tlie Declaration of 
Independence, which was the first overt act of separation from the 
Mother Country. That document was the result of years of popular dis- 
content and of statesman-lilve delil)eration ; and it was an arraignment 
of tyranny and a statement of the principles of political freedom such 
as the world never saw before. No wonder that in that crisis, and for 
the possible boon of freedom, they should have pledged " their lives, 
their fortunes and their sacred honor." Nor was it an empty boast. 
For that act inaugurated a period of carnage and blood, which calls up 
to-day the memories of Lexington and Ccmcord, of Bunker Hill and 
Valley Forge and Yorktown, and wliich ended in the treaty of peace with 
Great Britain and the independence of tlie colonies. 

Tlien began the more difficult and delicate task of constructing a 
nation out of the fragments which the war had left. Thirteen struggling^ 
and impoverished colonies, with scattered towns and hamlets and 
thinly populated territorial domain, furnished but discouraging material 
for such an effort. But the courage whicli liad l)raved the military and 
naval power of one of the mightiest governments of Europe, was 
equalled by the wisdom which in the deliljerations of council harmon- 
ized the conflicting interest of different localities, reconciled the preju- 
dices of discordant parties, and out of tlie chaos of mutually antagon- 
istic demands, reached a definite result, in which each constituent mem- 
ber subordinated liis personal and local and partisan interests to the 
good of the united wliole. 



22 SI'IOCIAJ. ('().M.Mr^|KATI<)X OF Till'; 

Three tlieories were entertained and insisted upon as to tlie sju'cilie 
form which the newly-born nation sliould assume. 

There were tliose who followed the traditions of tlie Kiiuiish history 
and eonstitntion, would have ()rf>ani/ed a limited monarehy as tiie l)est 
form in which the centralized powers of -general fi'overnment mi<>ht be 
adjusted to the exercise of individual liiierty and tiie ri<>hts of the 
coloiues. 

On the opposite I'xtreme were those who preferred a pure Democracy, 
and who would have made the general government a kind of Amphyc- 
tionic Council, in which the popular representatives should have been 
almost as numerous as their constituents. While, between the two, there 
was anotiier theory which souubt to eliminate the evils and weaknesses 
of both the others and to incorporate their excellencies into an ideal He- 
pul)lic, in which certain departments and subjects of leuislation should 
be committed to the local authorities, while the general atiairs of com- 
mon interest to all should be the province and domain of the national 
govermnent as representatives of all its constituent parts. Out of this 
seething mass of controversy and criticism and thought was evolved a 
constitution which met the necessities of the struggling colonies then, 
and which has proved equal to the emergencies of its phenomenal 
growth and development since. 

When Washington took the oath of ollice as the first President of 
the United States, the nation was only a skeleton which was destined 
to be clothed with the flesh and blood, the nmscle and sinew and nerve 
of an organic national life ; with industrial and educational and com- 
mercial enterprise which should round out and complete its civilization. 
It was but a cartoon upon the canvas of history which the subsecpient 
years were destined to fill up with tides of immigration, with increasing- 
populations, Avith the manifold plans of enterprise and the throl>bing 
generation of men. It was l)ut the plan of a mighty structure, whose 
edifice was to be reared by the genius of American progress, conquering 
the territory of its domain ; making its prairies and plantations smile 
with crops of wheat and sugar, of cotton and corn ; delving into the 
earth for the mineral resources of its wealth, covering its rivers and in- 
land seas with the swan-like i alaceswhicli float upon their surfaces with 
freights of merchandise and human life, and tiinging towards the Paci- 
fic the girdle of its iron road which binds the I^]ast and tlic \Nest in a 
three-fold cord, which cannot easily be broken. 

At the starting point of sucii an epoch George Washington stood 
when he took the oath of oftice as the first President of the United 
States. And now watch the j)r()gress of that development as it has 
md'oldcd in the century which is comi)leted to-day. At once the tides 
of inuuigration set toward the theatre of this grand experiment of free- 
dom in the westi'rn world, and tiic scattered and thinly settled colonies 
are filled up by the superal)undant populations of the older worUl. It is 
a fairniiai' fact in piiysiological science that the commingling of ditterent 



GKAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 23 

elements in the propagation of a race is a condition of inij)rovenient in 
its (juality and fibre. And it is not ditticult to discern tlie hand of Provi- 
dence in our early history as developing a type of manhood with higher 
possibilities and broader constituent forces than the previous centuries 
have produced. Into this production of the American type of manhood 
will enter the Anglo-Saxon basis <jf common sense, with its stern in- 
tegrity and its love of constitutional freedom, its enthusiasm for educa- 
tion and its general intelligence as essential to the life of the Republic. 
Incorporated into this underlying basis there will be the perseverance, 
the industry and the patient thoroughness of the German ; the flexi- 
bility, the wit and the courage of the Irishman ; the mercurial spright- 
liuess and vivacity of the Frenchman; tlie dignity and traditional cour- 
tesy of the Spaniard ; the poetic temperament, tlie romance and more 
recently the muscle of the Italian ; and the rugged heroism of the 
Scandinavian, whose Norsemen ancestors, in their frail craft, . skirted 
the rocli bound bay.s-and fiords of our northern coast long before Colum- 
bus dreamed of a southwest passage to India, or of a continent beyond 
the setting sun. These varied characteristics, blended into one, will pro- 
duce a type of manhood different from and superior to the types of man- 
hood in the past — a type in which Furitan and ( "avalier, Yankee and 
Southern, P^astern man and Western pioneer shall be so harmoniously 
l>lended that the perfect result shall eliminate the weakness of its con- 
stituent elements, while their virtues and graces, their culture and 
strength shall be carefully and successfully preserved. 

The inventive genius of the American people, stale and common- 
place as an allusion to it may seem, furnishes another element in the 
development and progress of the epoch through which we are passing 
now. It is not the glorification of our ingenuity to which I refer, but to 
the multiplied power which results from the substitution of machinery 
for muscle, which is the first direct result of our mechanical invention 
and oui' scientific skill. One patent reaper, with a lad for its driver, 
sitting comfortably upon the elevated position from which he directs 
the movements of the span of horses before him, as it passes up and 
down the broad prairies of our westei'n domain, cutting and gathering 
and l)inding its sheaves of golden wheat, is equal to the working force 
of a score of men with the cradle and scythe of even a single generation 
ago. The engine which draws its train of cars, freighted with life 
and merchandise, accomplishes more in a single journey than a regi- 
ment of horses and mules with their accompanying wagons and carts. 
And if we compute the total of our population in the future by an ad- 
vancing standard anywhere near the realization of its prol)able facts, we 
shall see that the nation, which in a hundred years has increased from 
four millions to sixty, will in another century amount in force and in 
fact to more than a thousand million of men. 

Not less surprising is the annihilation of time and space as the result 
of the same inventive spirit. When Washington traveled from Mount 
Vernon to New York for his inauguration, the journey occupied one 



24 SPKOIAL <'()M.^^J«^I(•ATI()^• OF TIIK 

week. His successor to-day acconiplislu's tlic samcjounu-y conif()rtal)ly 
within tlie space of a single niiilit, and, if need be, without iosin-ia siiiule 
woii\iii.u- hour. And wiien we calculate thenianirold ajtplications of our 
inventivi' sl<ill to the exiuencies of laisiness, of elfoit and of life, it is no 
exaugeration to say that the youlli of twenty years of aj^e to-day, with 
tlu' facilities which tele;iraph and telephoiu- and steam enyine and type- 
writerand electricity place at his disposal, is anolderiuan, inexperience, 
in aiiility and in working- i)ower, than the Methusalehs of the past. 

In solving the probleni of our ntUion's life, there will inevitably be 
tlie friction of local interests, which can only be reconciled by a compre- 
hensive statesmanship and a wise and generous prudence. In assimi- 
lating the various foreign substances winch enter into the composition of 
our body politic, there may be ditliculties in the process of digestion 
wiiicii give pain to the interior life of the nation, but these are only the 
incidental inconvenience of the processes of its growth, and the linal 
result will be the Wealthy form and fair complexion, the sturdy muscle 
and the delicate nerve, the brawny grasp and the sensitive toucii of this 
youthful giant among the nations of the earth. 

We have thus sketched, in brief and inadeciuate outlines, these three 
distinct ijeriods in our nation's life, oidy to appreciate more fully the 
sigiiiticauce of the event we celebrate to-day. Standing at this distance 
from the historical fact, we are impressed, first of all, with the ])roi)hetic 
instinct and the statesmanlike wisdom which, constructing a constitu- 
tion for thirteen infant colonies, has provided for the emergencies and 
needs of forty empires welded into one, in addition to the strain of an 
internal contest which, for magnitude and ])erseverance and courage, sur- 
passes and eclipses the most romantic recordsof heroism in all the history 
of the i)ast. And e(|uallyimpressiveand signilicant is the fact tiiat when 
our infant nation lookedfor aman tolie the jiilot of theshipof State, now 
fully launched upon the stream of human iiistory, one form rose above 
all others, and the minds and hearts of men turned with muted thought 
toward him whose name was then dear to four millions of struggling 
freemen, but which is enshrined to-day in sixty millions of human 
hearts. The chief eommander of the armii's of the revolution proved 
himself as great in peace as he had l)een great in war. And, when he 
laid aside his sword and surrendered his commission, to retire to the 
shades of his (juiet home upon the banks of the Potomac, it was his in- 
tegrity, his patriotism, bis unseliishness and his greatness as a citizen,, 
wbicii designated him as the first President of the nation which 
owed its very existence to his wisdom, his ccmrage and Ids devo- 
tion to the principles of civil freedom. The hoarse cry of detraction 
wbicli assailed him then lias been lost annd the eulogies of history and 
the truer estimation of the man ; and while the names of Napoleon and 
Hannibal and Alexander are fading from the memories of men, the 
name of Washington grows brighter in its lustre as tlie centuries roll on. 

There were two incidental facts connected with the inauguration of 
Washington which deserve mention to-<lay. 



GRAND J.ODGE OF LOUISIANA. 25 

The first was the fact that when Washing'ton stood upon the portico 
of the old State House on Wall street, New York, in the very spot now 
(iccupied by his gigantic statue in bronze, in front of the Sub-Treasury 
building, there Mas no liible at hand upon wliicli he could take the oath 
ofoflrtce. Inmiediately a messenger was sent to the old St. John's Ma- 
sonic Lodge for the Bible there; and upon its sacred page Washington 
laid his hand when he took his solemn official oatli and ol)ligation. 
That venerable volume is preserved to-day witli a tenderness and a rev- 
erence which is accorded to no oth<5r volume in the libraries of New 
York ; and it is one connecting link between the e\ent of that hour and 
the celel)ration in which we are engaged to-day. 

The second incidental fact worthy of mention is, that when the first 
President assumed the resi^onsibilities of his high oftice, he was not clad 
in the robes of royalty nor the insignia of empire, but in the simple garb 
of a gentleman of the period, his puri)le velvet continental coat, with 
knee breeches and buckles ; and the only additional regalia he ever cared 
to add to his ordinary costume, aside from his military unifoi'm, was the 
lambskin ai^ron of a Master Mason, which makes him to-day the brother 
of our truest affection, as he is the hero of our profoundest esteem. His 
I'elationsliip to the Order lias been questioned and denied, as indeed every 
fact of history luis been in this age of contradiction and doubt; and a 
jealous ecclesiasticism which ]H'rmits its adherents to have no secrets 
whicli itself cannot share, has manufactured a legendary fiction that 
Washington renounced alike his religion and his Masonry upon his 
death-bed. Such fal)les may pass current amid rural populations where 
the average intelligence of the masses never reaches a respectable stand- 
ard, but they can only excite the scornful contempt of students of history 
and of thoughtful men. And Washington's loyal fidelity to the Ma- 
sonic Order, of which we are proud to claim him as a l>rother, is as well 
established as the fact of his inauguration itself. 

Other assemblies to-day, in the churches and temples of our haul, 
commemorate his character as a (hristian man, in liis religious integ- 
rity, his unwavering belief in (iod, and his confidence in the power and effi- 
cacy of prayer. Still other assemblies, under municipal and social pat- 
ronage, are celebrating his character as statesman and citizen and patriot 
ill the majestic proportions and grandeur of his character. And we, as 
jNIasons, celebrate, with equal confidence, his character as a lirother 
Mason, to whom we are allied, not merely by the profound historical 
respect and instructive patriotism with which we reverence his name, 
but also l)y the nearer bond of our mystic fraternal tie. The foundation 
which he laid was S()})lumb, s;) level and so sejuare that it has not varied 
during the century that has passed away ; the consummation of its 
mighty structure will be the grandest achievement of history ; and its 
triumph will be tlie brightest page in the record of the political life of 
mankind. 

The Rev. Orator was mucli ai)plau(l('d. 
Music— Red. White and Blue. 



LM; special ('()M!^«ji<'Ati()N of the 

R»'\-. and E. W. I>ro. Liidwi^ F. Ilciiitz. hciiiy iiitro(lu<'<'(l, 
<U'liv("i'«'(l the lollowini;' iuldrcss in (Jciinan : 

Most Worshipful (iraiul .Muster, IJretlueii of the ()riU>r, LacUes and ( Jentk'iiieii : 

Worthy lnvthivn, witli hcarM cxaUrd l)y <;r:ititii(lt' and Joy do 
we and om- (.aitiri' nation of lifty nnllioiis of soids, anion<;st whom 
there ar*^ at least live hinah'ed thousand Freemasons and six nnUions of 
(Jermans, greet this day. Of how -many hiittles and events, of what 
great epoehsin the history of the world does 11 remind us. Is not all life 
a hattle, and are we, as men of t lie great Fraternal tie, not constantly 
fighting and hattling, e(iui])ped with the weapons taken from tlie arsenal 
of peace and humanity ? 

Tlie real welfare, the elevation of mankind, is the only and proper 
aim of Masonry ; its moral and material advancement, the pin-pose of 
our warfare. 

" Forward," is the Freemason's motto ! Never and never more indo- 
lently to stand still ! 

When courage and the power to work l)egin to fail, we ga/.e upon 
the full and heautifuUy opened blossoms of the past ; for Freemasonry 
has brought into full and powerful development many a great, noble 
and liberal thinker and worker, whose names and deeds illumine the 
jnist, while throwing a reflecting light far in advance of the distant 
future. 

Yea, to tlie glory of Freemasonry and that of all mankind, be it said, 
the eighteenth century unrolled a heavenly constellation, upon which tlie 
names of men teem, who devoted their existence to the liberation of 
mankind and to its mental and spiritual welfare. Amongst them are to 
be found the most renowned writers, artists and politicians, the entire 
philosophical school, which moved and agitated Europe, and which, Ijy 
words and thoughts, sought to destroy prejudice fanaticism, despotism, 
l)igotry and falsehood, and to unite mankind in one common bond of 
iirotherly love. 

If we conceive tile i)urposeof this union, then we will readily un- 
derstand why, a hundred years ago, such great minds as lii'lvetius, 
Franklin, Ldaiidc, Voltaire, L-ifayette, Miililenberg, Warren, Wieland, 
Lessing, Herder, Gotthe, etc., were working within its midst, produc- 
ing delightful, lasting and truly intellectual results. Their spirit was 
the sjiirit of Freemasonry, and the spirit of Freemasonry was theirs. 
The lustre of their existence penetrated the darkness Surrounded by 
their disciples, they stood as workers in the service of the true, the good 
and the beautiful ; stood within the sacred lialls of a temple, the corner- 
stone of wliicli was "human rights:" resting upon wisdom, its pillars 
were "iiuman dignity," founded upon strength; and its dome, 
" philanthropy," adorned i)y the beauty of virtue. 

A new s})irit ]>ervaded the world ! They were men wiio occui)ied 
high places in all the sciences, or wlio i)l:iyed great roU's upon the polit- 
ical fields. 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 1> 

To these latter ones belonged, tirst and foremost, be, the hero in war, 
the tvise in couneU, the noble>it among the noble, the father ofhh count rj/, 

Georg k Wash in(4Ton. 

Nothing- is more interesting, nothing more ennoblingto the mind and 
heart, than the contemplation of the life and deeds of such a man. The 
lesson speaks to the mind, hut when the word becomes tiesli, when the 
good, the noble and the great confront us in tleshand blood, when human- 
ity, truth and justice, when love for fatherland, for liberty and mankind 
becomes personified, then the heart grows warm, our phantasy becomes 
animated, and we are carried along by the desire to emulate. Such a 
living word, the ideal of a great man and a true Mason, we find ]ior- 
trayed in 

(teorge Washington. 

He has opened to our race a source of happiness, opened new paths 
uiK)n which to ramble. He was the bearer of human civilization, a hero 
of the sword, a hero of self denial, a hero of endurance, a hero of love ! 
Justly may we exclaim, with the poet : 

" How beautiful is man ! 

"How glor.oustlie world, whicl] harbors sucli a i-itizen."' 

Men like Washington form the true nobility of the nation. The 
Freemasons followed his banner, and took a lively participation in the 
battles which led to the liberation of the new world. Warren, their Grand 
Master, fell in the battle of Bunker Hill, in the moment of victory : the 
longer the war lasted, the more brilliant shone the noble unselfishness, 
the glorious patriotism of Washington. 

At last the great work was completed; l)ut when the war was ended, 
harmony and peace did not prevail in the different States; the govern- 
ment was at that time poor and weak, the different States jealous on 
account of pretended privileges, jealous amongst each other, distrustful 
of each other ; the military spirit only was strong and prevailing, the 
array the only strong power in the land, the destiny of the latter resting 
in the hand of the former. Washington was its idol ; upon the actions 
of this one man everything depended. The people in general lived yet 
in the haljits, usages and traditions of a monarchical government, and 
but a few men, like Franklin, Jefferson, ]Muhlenl)erg, Adams, believed 
in the practicability of a government " by the people and for the people." 

A single word from W'ashington, and the royal title wouhl have 
l)een conferred upon hiiu by the army, which idolized him, hailed by 
the applause of the entire nation ; but Washington remained true to his 
principles, and thus true to liberty. In an address to the officers of the 
army, he spoke these memoral)le words, which sealed the destiny of this 
country : 

"Show," said he, "utter scorn and contempt for the man who, for 
any possible reason, would try to destroy the liberty of our country." 



2<S SPECIAI. ('O.^UiU'NK'ATloN <)1' TIIK 



t^U' 



No j^reat man of liistory vvvi spoUo siu-li wonj.s, no victorious j^t-ni'- 
lal t'vor addressed thus an army, an army entirely devoted to him, and 
whicli showed its intention to increase the warrior's miji^ht and Jionor. 

(irc^ater than tlie victories of Trenton and Yorktown, wastl)e victory 
Wasiiinjiton won over himself, over })ersonal and selfish amhition. By 
tills very action, he made himself the greatest man of history. 

" In word ami dfcil onward proceeding 
Ft)r liunijin bliss and weal. 
Through battle's fierceness brjively leading, 

Saving with skill and zeal; 
Inspiicd by noble feelings 
A great aim lie attninetl. 
Wisely in all liis dealings, 

His p ssi<jns he constrained : 
Hail him, who when the IVay is ended 

As victor never swerves, 
And who, by self-control unbended, 
The laurel-wreath deserves." 

The declaration of independence was a great event, the noble deed 
of Washington, thus saving his country for a second time, surpassing it 
by far ; for had he not acted in this manner, America would have lost 
the rich blessing, for the preservation of which- it sacrificed its own and 
dearest iieart l)Iood, and tiie Union, hardly l)rought to life, would have 
become dissolved, and a home tyranny might have taken the place of a 
foreign one. 

The Constitutional Convention gave the people a general g()\ern- 
ment, the so very difficult transactions being conducted by Washington 
himself, in a most tjuiet, resolute, clear, judicious, ajipropriate and deci- 
sive manner, which led to the desired result. 

The union of the thirteen States was accomplished, the Constitution 
was adoj)ted, and the thus imiled people, in the fullness of its gratitude 
and conlidence, called by an unanimous voice the faithfully proven hero, 
George Washington, to its head, to lu' its President, uixtn which office 
he enteri'd on the ollth of April, ITSi). 

Jvcluctantly did he leave the dear relirenK'ut of ^klount N'crnon, but 
he followed the honorable call in love for bis cotnitry, thereby adding 
the key -stone to his great achievements. 

How great was the people's jubilee during the voyage of the first 
elected president to New York ; from all quarters they came, to salute 
and greet him as the savior, the father of his nation ; triumphal arches 
were erected everywhere, and loud were the cannons thundering in cel- 
ebration of tlie arrival of him who had free<l the people from servitude 
and gained their liberty. 

Thus the solemn installation of the (irst I'resident of the Cnited 
States took place and, ins])ired at the rctrospi>ct, we exclaim : 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUKFAXA. 29 

"Arise, a festive joyons lay 

Shall every lieart vibrate, 
A hundred years ago this day 

Tliey crowned the hero great, 
Wlio by liis word and deed 

And sword our country freed, 
Which now no king doth own, 

As free'st land is known. 
On liills and dales, near and remote, 

On ocean-waves unbounded. 
Its proud star-si)angled banners float 

J!y freedom's breath surrounded ; 
Here Washington's full piety 

Did build the throne of liberty. 
May God's protective hand 

Shield thee. O bl ssed land; 
Hail thee, Columbia ! " 

The image of that great and noble luau, who has perfornietl such 
great deeds, arises liefore us ; iu veneration and gratitude we look up to 
him who, in all his greatness, most modestly acknowledged that it is 
not man who has the power to summon, not man who can conjiu'e the 
tempests, which convulse and shake the glol»e. Firm was his confi- 
dence in the supremacy of a moral principle in the economy of the 
universe wherein the powers of the mightiest men are but tools. This 
confidence made him strong and courageous, and endowed him with 
resoluteness, faithfulness and constancy. 

Justice was his highest principle. 

Faithfulness his greatest maxim. Pure of heart, truthful in word, 
careful in action, fearless in danger, and untiring iu the zeal of perform- 
ing good deeds, in liberating his people and making it happy, he dis- 
played the noblest unselfishness and the most fervent love for his coun- 
try. 

Such were the sublime attributes of that Master of the Royal Art, 
of whom we, as Freemasons, may boast that he was one of us, and who 
proved to be wholly what he had been taught in that workshop, and 
acted accordingly under all circumstances of life. I'ointing at him, we 
may exclaim : 

"Behold, our Master!" 

Thus stands the man who, one hundred years ago, was inaugurated 
as the lirst President of our country — a model worthy of imitation for 
the young and the aged, and will stand as such as long as a human 
heart does beat on earth. 

In VV^ashingtou, we find all the conditions eniliodied, which finally 
led to the shaking off of the English yoke, and to the formation of our 
free, republican Union. 

Casting, on this day of jubilee, a retrospect upon the space of time 
which now lies beyond us, what an innnense admiration fills our breast ! 

One hundred years, since those commendable days, now sunk into 
the ocean of oblivion ; the small, frail Union, at that time the concern 



30 SPECIAL COlJfl'NK'ATIOX OF TIIK 

of Ikt IVioiids, tlu' scorn of her enemies, to-(l:\y, from witliin and from 
without, a proud, i)eautiful land of a free and si-lf-conscious ))e<)i)le, a 
ffrateful people, revering? and honorinji- the nieniorv ol tlie man wlio 
gained its liberty ixiid who founded its welfare. 

With giant steps this country moved towards its eompletion ; rapi<Uy 
its steadily <irowin,<>; resources were developed ; never was there known 
such a iiigantic prooress of any nation ; millions of men, cominfi' from 
all i)arts of the world, landed on the shores of the new world, where 
they found free and liaii|)y homes, and it was with amazement that the 
true friends of humanity looked u})on America as their only hoi)e ! 

And we, do we not behold its blissful reactions ui)on the <r:eneral 
conditions of Europe, striving; for religii'Us and political liberty? 

Although our institutions were subject to great and violent trials 
during the past century, we are standing to-day upon the threshhold of 
a new and sect)nd glorious centiry, as firmly and confidently as the 
patriotic ancestors stood at the side of the immortal founder of the Re- 
public, the first President, ( Jeorge Washington I 

The elapse of the past century served to illumine the greatness of 
our country. 

What country can compare with its pr()gressing energy upon all the 
fields of life? 

Yes, justly do they call it in iwnw than one respect, 

"'riie hiiul ol the luture." 

Constantly working, constantly purifying itself in all its elements! 
Everytliing is in embr^yo ! America is a new volume of tlie great his- 
tory of human development, and tlie twentieth century will no doubt 
form one of its most instructive and interesting cliai)ters. 

"Forward!" was, and "forward " shall remain the motto of our 
country ; and in order that it may be thus, let us, as disciples of the 
Royal Art, as citizens, as German Americans, assist in promoting its de- 
veloi)ment ! 

This shall be the gratitude which we, as German ^\.mericans, have 
great cause to Vjestow, in honor of the founders of the Union, whicli has 
become the country of our adoption, and althougli it is not the land 
where we played the games of childhood, to which the beautiful recol- 
lections of youtli yet link us, nevertheless we may call it our fatherland, 
being the land of our own free choice. 

And most assuredly, the German Americans have proved faithful 
to their thus chosen home, faithful under all and every circumstance ; 
remembering his native home with piety and love, and while most 
heartily concerned in its fate, he tenders his devotion, faithfulness and 
love to the new fatherland, which even a Samoa cannot change. 

ITow many are the thousands who have already fought and l)led for 
lil)erty under Washington ! Vou have heard of DeKalb and Steuben ; 
you have also heard of the three brothers Hiester, the most intimate 
friends of Washington, — of IVter INIuhlenberg, whose character had a 



GRAND LODGK OF T.OUISIANA. 81 

great siniilarity to that of Washington, for he was warm-hearted, (luiet, 
sensible and Jiiodest, at tlie same time also intrepid ! 

Washington oftentimes said of him : " If I eannot depend nponauy 
one, I can depend upon Muhlenberg !" 

Wliile others were doubting and considering, Muhlenberg preachetl 
from his pulpit the independence of the peojjle, and when the war broke 
out, he quickly gathered a regiment consisting mostly of Germans. 

As a major-general, he was constantly at the side of Washington 
and most active in his battles, commanding the attack upon Yorktown, 
and when it came to daring exploits, Miihlenbei'gand his Germans were 
always chosen, because they could confidently be relied upon. The 
soldiers venerated him as their friend and father, and later, while a mem- 
ber of Congress, his advice was gladly sought ;ind followed. How great 
the influence upon Washington's efforts, how great a part in his victt)- 
ries and inauguration of the first President must have been the share 
of this German-American, the sage, hero and i)atriot, .Muhlenberg? 

He was only one of the many thousand brave, patriotic German- 
Americans. Yes, the Germans have at all times fought the battles for 
AmericiUi liberty, cleared the primeval forests and assisted in erecting 
the American cities, and we find them everywhere where new industries 
spring up and are brought to life. The development of this country 
has a great deal to thank the Germans for, and I do not say too much if 
I assert, that we find the German-Americans to be the best and truest 
Americans ! 

And as such, we have a great mission to fulfill, which is brought to 
a blissful Lssue upon the fields of family life, of school education and of 
religious progress, in all of which we Germans have proven to be great, 
and upon which the very welfare, power, prosperity and existence of a 
State depends, and which conduced towards the education, morality and 
progress of mankind. The realism, whicrh is so predominant, must 
make room to more ideal condition, the idealistic disposition of German 
life adding no little towards the realization thereof. Combining the 
American speculative SDirit, which takes advantage of the hour, with 
the German precaution and steadfastness, we will be justified to the be- 
lief that the Americans are bound to become the greatest nation on 
earth. 

Like the benefactors of mankind, and above all, like Washington, 
who were mentally, morally and religiously freemen, thus should we 
pledge ourselves on this great Centennial day to promote, as much as we 
can, mental, moral and religious lilierty, duration and progress. 

Let us be watchful to preserve to this country its religious liberty,, 
to bear testimony to our higher moral and religious views and principles, 
steadily increasing and courageously fighting against hypocrisy, sancti- 
mony, fanaticism, untruth and violence, which try to deprive us of our 
inherent human rights and of our personal liberty. Let us insist upon 
toleration and religious liberty ; let us work against all the enemies of 



32 SPKCIAL COHBIUNH'ATION ()V THK 

])ers()iuil liberty, against every effort to tlirow our eoiuitry into tlie fet- 
ters of tenii)eranee and proliibitionary laws, whieh form the beginning 
of slavery and thraldom, the end of whieh cannot be foretold. 

Never shall it become possible for our enemies to succeed in their 
malevolent and obscure labors to rob us of our personal liberty ! No, no, 
never ! 

We, as Germans, as citizens, as Freemasons, we will answer to the 
«all, man for man ! 

Let us therefore do our duty in all its entirety ! We owe it to the 
JKmor of ovu" native country, we owe it to the honor of our self-chosen 
fiitherland, and we owe it to the memory of Washington ! 

No one knows what lies in the near future ! Be it l»ad, let it never 
be said, "the Germans or the Freemasons have caused it ! " 

Gratefully, with pride, with joy and enthusiasm, let us glorify this 
great Centennial, glorify the hero, the sage and the good man — praise 
him as the first in war, as the lirst in peace and the first in the heart of 
a mighty and grateful nation, to whom first, of all the other great and 
patriotic men of that period, we have to be thankful — praise him wiio 
gave his people all what a loving father can give to his children ! " Lib- 
erty, peace, happiness and prosperity." Praise him, the founder of the 
Union, the father of the Eepublic, the Freemason and brother — George 
Washington ! 

Although long ago removed from his terrestrial sphere of activity 
and usefulness, while his earthly remains are resting peacefully in mother 
earth, we join in saying: "Wherever a great man doth rest God is 
nigh ;" his spirit lives and works forever in the mighty and beautiful 
structure, in the excellent creation which he bequeathed to us. The 
sound of national joy, the triumphal halloos of a free and grateful 
people re-echo from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and the millions 
of human children pray : 

" Ruler of the Universe ! preserve this noble structure erected by 
the sages and heroes, cemented with the blood of the very best ones of 
their time. We thank Thee for all the blessings of the past, and mayest 
Thou oi'dain it, that liberty, peace and prosi3erity be vouchsafed to our 
country and its people." 

" Kor Freedom's beacon brilliantly 

Shines far above the height, 

Where AVashington's sweet spirit-form 

Our eyes greet with delight, 

And loudly we exclaim full joy : 
' Stand firm, be strong and true ! ' 

To the star-spangled banner true 

And to our blessed country too : 

( olumbla's noble sons, with those of Gerraania combine 

To stand as watchmen firm and true at Freedom's holy shrine I" 

(Translated by Bro. Sal. Marx.j 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 33 

Wor. Brother Manuel Castillo on being introduced, delivered 
the following address in Spanish : 

Ladies axd Gentlioimiox :— We positively well know that Masonry 
is universal and in eonsequeiice, it is clear that it is the most precious 
and inexhaustil)le shelter of all languages, for which reason I beg to ad- 
dress you in my native tongue. 

Now, with the profound respect I owe to this very illustrious Grand 
Lodge, to our illustrious and worshipful Grand Master, to the venerable 
brothers present, and to your kind attention, I shall make a few remarks 
as orator of the respectable Spanish Lodge, Cervantes No. o. 

I have just been listening with great pleasure and true satisfaetiou 
to the brilliant discourses of the respected brethren, whose talent and 
eloquence have so highly co-operated in the adornment and splendor of 
this Masonic feast, in which the close union that binds us is fully dis- 
played in cordial harmony and fraterinty. Besides, they have abund- 
antly demonstrated that this is a day, each anniversary of which is as 
great as it is imperishable, and in which all the civilized nations unite 
with the gf)od Masons in rendering their tribute of admiration, respect 
and glory to the memorj- of the illustrious patriot, the enunent and wise 
Washington, the father of his country, that immortal being, that pro- 
ductive genius, at whose birth nature endowed with the most exalted 
and luminous conceptions, and whose pure, noble and generous soul 
knew so well how to rejoice in sacrificing all upon the altar of his coun- 
try. His loyal heart was always filled with the highest sentiments of 
purity and charity. In joining us he showed that virtue, morality, 
profound faith and fraternity were rooted in him, and he brought with 
him in the Masonic temples the light of reason and of truth, the purity of 
soul and the thirst for universal welfare, through his inviolable princi- 
ples of union and liberty under the radiancy and magnificence of the 
Sun of Masonry. 

There was no other ambition nor tendency in him except to liberate 
his beloved country from cruel oppression Aveighing upon it, and thus 
the iunnortal and unequalled hero achieved the conquest of precious and 
sweet liberty for his brothers, and stands for all future time an example 
and a lesson unto the Universe. 

Heroes of the stamp of George Washington, my dear brethren, do 
not rest in the sepulchre of forgetfulness ; they live as angels of liberty 
with their tutelary wings forever extended and Avide open over, oppressed 
humanity, and thej reside, tenderly cherished in the hearts of their 
brethren, for the growth, jjrogress and glory of their country, and their 
xiames illuminate the most l)rilliant pages of history. 

Applause. 

Music — Spanish hymn. 
3 



34 SPECIAL COMMPRlCATrON OF TITK 

Woi". Brotlier AiiatoU' A. Kcr. on liis intioductioii, spoko 
as follows in French : 

Worshipful Grand Master and Brethren, Ladies and Gentlempn : 

The Grand Ijodges of this jurisdiction having selected me to repre- 
sent them in the Centennial celebration of the iiiauguration of George 
Washington, it is with a profound sense of the distinguished honor 
wliich has been conferred upon me by my brethren that I appear before 
you as their spokesman to-night ; and before undertaking to actjuit my- 
self of the duties which their partiality devolves upon me, I desire to 
say to you that in accepting the ottice which they have assigned to me 
with so much courtesy and kindly feeling, I am none the less conscious 
of my unworthiness to meet its re(juirenu'nts. Those among you who 
are better acquainted with me know that 1 am as much of English as of 
French extraction, and you all know that it is not given to every one to 
speak French, Nevertheless, and notwithstanding my lack of confidence 
in my own ability to speak the language of Uousseau, of Voltaire, of 
Hugo, and of so many others wliose names are enrolled upon the annals 
of French literature and philosopliy, I cannot resist the pleasure of ap- 
pearing before you as the chosen organ of my bretliren, and as a faithful 
Mason I come to deposit my !iunible pebl)le among the glittering jewels 
which have been strewn before you. 

On this day, one hundred years ago, a Freemason, amid the rejoicings 
of a whole people, was invested with the insignia and the powers of the 
chief magistracy of the Goverimient of the United States. That Free- 
mason deservedly l)ore the title of father of his country. We are assem- 
bled here to-day to commemorate that great event, which is of such 
great moment to civilization. 

This day, the 30th of April, should be designated by a white pebble 
amongst us, as also should be that of the 14th of July amongst the French, 
which reflects so much honor upon the French nation. 

The inaugvu'ation of George Washington, in his functions of Presi- 
dent of these United States, recalls to our minds the high purposes, the 
greatness of soul and the Spartan virtues which characterized that great 
man. 

He had but to yield to the almost untminious desires of his people 
and they would have proclaimed him king and placed a golden croM'n 
upon his head. True Mason, however, as he was, he had too deep a love 
for liberty to accept so vain a title, and lilce Cincinnatus of old, he devoted 
himself to the welfare of his country, and turning his back upon every 
selfish motive, he gave to his jDcople, to whom he was most ardently 
attached, that form of true democratic government of which we are so 
justly proud, even at the sacrifice of every personal ambition. What 
noble conduct, and what shining example for his fellow-citizens and for 
all posterity ! 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. ',^5 

It is unnecessary here to recall to onr memories all of those great 
events which have shed an imperishable lustre over our gz'and American 
revolution. At the bare mention of Lexington, and of Bunker Hill, we, 
the descendants of the patriots of 177G and '77, feel our hearts swell within 
us with the most lively emotions of joy and pride. Quebec, too, where 
perished the immortal Montgomery, and Trenton and Princetown and 
Monmouth where Washington led in person the American host, awaken 
in our hearts and in our mines sentiments scarcely less pleasurable. The 
horrors of the winter at Valley Forge present to the mind a most vivid 
jiicture of human suffering and of almost superhuman courage, and 
when at last, after having followed the American armies throughout all 
their successes and reverses, and after having participated in all their vicis 
situdes, our attention rests at last upon Yorktown, where our great captain 
placed himself, for the last time, at the head of his army of veterans, 
aided and encouraged as were these last, on this occasion, by the presence 
of the French heroes, de Rochambeau and de Grasse, and their noble 
Frenchmen ; where the French and American colors were blended to- 
gether and seemed, in the moment of victory, to form one banner, where 
in fine the splendid results of the revolution were wrought, we can 
scarcely contain ourselves with exultation and pride. But there is in 
the history of that period a moment which is infinitely more grand 
than all this. The historian teaches us that after the capitulation of 
Yorktown, peace was signed at Paris, on the 3d of September, 1783. The 
British evacuated New York on the 25th of November following, and 
shortly thereafter Washington, the patriot, the father of his country and 
its savior, entered that city. It is at that moment that, after having 
taken an affectioiiate farewell of his troops, resisting so heroically and so 
modestly the temptations and the blandishments which beset him on all 
sides, he retired quietly to the solitude of Mount Vernon, followed by 
the plaudits and veneration of a whole people to whom he had secured 
that greatest of all human blessings— liberty, and like vinto his great 
Roman prototype, he devoted himself to the humble pursuits of a coun- 
try life. A distinguished orator, in referring to this episode in the life of 
George Washington, has said: "the annals of humanity have never 
presented, in the order of moral grandeur, a moment or a spectacle so 
subhme as this." 

• It was but a few years after this that Washington was chosen by the 
suffrages of his people to fill the executive chair as first President of 
the United States, and his inauguration as such took place on the 30th 
of April, 1789. This inauguration, which crowned the choice which he 
had made for his jieople of a representative Democracy instead of a 
Government based upon the ideas which obtained in the Old World, 
showed how much he loved the American people, of whom he had be- 
come the idol, and his emphatic declaration only eight years later that 
he would not accept a second renomination to the office which he had 
filled so acceptablj' during that time, affords us but another illustration of 



36 «Pf:ciAL <'Oi\iJ^^' 



ICATION OF THE 



hissiiKnv(U'Votion tothogreat juiiiciploswliit'liumU'rlie the lal)ri('()f our 
Governnieiit ; and it is not to be woxulcrcd at that his pure love of coun- 
try, liis generous self-abnegation, and his devotion to the best interests 
of his country in matters which were to influence and determine the 
political condition, not only of the pcoi^le of his own times but of gene- 
rations yet unborn, sliould have excited, in tlie minds of tliiidving and 
intelligent persons througliout tlie civilized world, the greatest admira- 
tion and respect for one whose love of liberty excluded every motive of 
mere iiersonal advancement. 

" Wliere may the weiiried eye rejiose 

When gazing; on the great, 
Where neither guilty glory glows 

Nor despicable state? 
\es, one— the lirst, the last, the best, 

The Cincinnatus of the West, 
Whom envy dared not hate, 

Bequeathed the name of Washington 
To make man blush there M-as but one." 

Is it to l)e M-ondered at, that the glow of that fire of liberty which 
was Inirning so brightly in America, should have \varmed the hearts of 
French Masons? Scarcely had our Government been organized, when 
the people of France beheld the grandest spectacle recorded in the 
annals of her history. The States-General, convoked by the unfortunate 
King Louis XVI, assembled at Versailles on the 5th of May, 1789. 
This assemblage was but the prelude to that grand revolution which, 
however terrible it may have been in its immediate results, was so preg- 
nant with untold blessings, not only for France, but for humanity itself. 
Can it be denied that this revolution was the work of the Freemasons of 
France? The States-General were; composed of three orders, the nobil- 
ity, the clergy and the people, called the Third State, who from the 
most remote times had been accustomed to speak to the kings and to the 
nobility on their knees ; but in '89, this Third State or condition, com. 
posed of the elite of the middle classes, almost to a man. Masons felt their 
own inrportanee in that assembly of the French nation, the most august 
which France had ever seen, and when the king appeared followed by 
the nobility and the clergy, and when all of these, imitating the exam- 
ple of the king, had covered themselves, the people, for the first time in 
the history of Europe, did as much. This fact, of itself, was the first 
impulsion Mhicli was given to that great popular upheaval which has 
for its first and grandest result, the abolition t)f monarchical govern, 
ment in France as well as those iniquitous class-privileges, which had 
up to that time made the noble the sole arbiter of the fate of his 
liege-man. All that took place thereafter, the closing of the meeting- 
hall, ordered by the king, the re-union of the assembly in the Tennis 
Court, the oath taken as to the inviolability of the members of the as- 
sembly and, in fine, the taking of the Bastile on the 14th of July, '89j. 
were, after all, but the efltects of the virility of the people evincing its 



GKAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 37 

true power and covering itself in the presence of the king, of the nobil- 
ity and of the clergj^, in tliis first session of the States-General. That 
year, '89, is a very memorable one for the French people as well as for 
ourselves, for it was in that year that those great events occurred both 
here and there, whose culmination has insured to us the blessings of lib- 
erty ; and we, my brf)ther Masons, should feel no little pride in the con- 
templation of the aid which «ur predecessors gave towards the estab- 
lishment of those great results wliieli have followed upon the vindication 
of the grand principles of democracy, both in France and in America. 
Before '89, liberty was to the French people but an Utopia ; '89 has made 
it a reality, and thank God, the France of to-day proudly stands upon 
the pedestal upon which '89 had j)laced it. 

It is always with an aching heart, that I, who am of French origin 
on the maternal side, read that part of the history of France which 
commences with 1804 and ends with 1870. We Americans have never 
had any other form of government but the present democracy ; with 
France such has not always been the ease, and after the proclamation of 
liberty by the French people, all of the nations of Europe still under the 
influence of the old ideas combined to crush the republic. What a 
grand spectacle now offers itself to the contemplation of the student of 
history ; Fi'ance, torn by internal dissensions, still a prey to those super- 
stitious feelings which had made monarchy a possibility for so long a 
time within her borders, oppressed with an unreasonable fear of the new 
theories which had ])een discussed so calmly and so lucidly by Voltaire, 
by Rousseau, by Diderot, and by so many others of that glorious galaxy 
of apostles of freedom, beset upon every side l)y an alien foe, even under 
the very wall^ of Paris, wrested victory from the grasp of disaster, and 
when at last the people were confronted with the alternative of the em- 
pire under Bonaparte or subjection to a dynasty of kings forced upon 
them by a coalition of European monarchs, avIio amongst us can find 
fault with the choice which tliey made? Is it not an uncontrovertible 
fact, that at that supreme moment, the republic was a physical impos- 
sibility ; and is it not eipially true that tlie empire has paved the way to 
the republic? We must not for one moment harbor the belief that the 
people of France did not love liberty, and the clioice wliich they made 
shows the more conclusively that whilst they would have preferred lib- 
erty, yet that the glory of France, eveij under Bonaparte, was infinitely 
dearer to them than aught else, and that under no circumstances would 
they submit to the yoke of the foreigner ! 

The empire under Bonaparte has redounded to the glory not only of 
that hero, but also to that of tlie entire French nation, and Bartelemy 
himself, a true son of France, and one of the most ardent republicans 
of his day, in singing the advent of the first empire, has said : 

" D'un peiiple de Brutus, la gloire le rit roi."' 

And truly, Bonaparte has left behind him monuments of his glory 
wliich are imperishable, and France justly venerates his memory as that 



38 SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE 

of a chit'ftaiii who lias not only ^iced lu-r at the head of nations by his 
sword, but to whom she is also indebted for benefactions which oufc-vie 
by their utility the glory of his victories. 

Who can forget that it is to General Bonaparte that we owe the 
Civil Code, that Mise and uniform system of legislation for the whole of 
France, which until its adoption had been a prey to so many disorders 
in the matter of the dispensation of justici. We, Louisianians, congrat- 
ulate ourselves upon the fact, that we have had the good sense to adopt 
this master-piece, with slight changes and modifications rendered neces- 
sary only by a diflerent condition of things. Can the people of France 
ever forget that it is to the Emperor Napoleon that they owe the Concor- 
dat, that wise measure whicJi has contributed so greatly to the abolition 
of those differences and schisms Mhich erstwhile had existed in the 
Church, as a most fertile source of disorder and trouble, and to restore to 
the P'rench people that tranquility and that hap] )iness\v Inch aloneflows 
from a religious system which is well regulated and under proper control? 

And are not those great works of general public utility which he 
authorized in P'rance, such, for instance, as grand routes, public edifices, 
canals, etc., etc., still standing as lastijig monuments of his energy and 
public spirit? And lias not Paris, the seat of the modern arts, been made 
such through his solicitude for France? Is not the gallery of the liouvres 
tilled with the most i>recious works of art, which ai'e so many trophies 
of his military skill, and lasting monuments of his singular devotion to 
the glory of his country? 

And can we, Americans, forget the fact that it was General Bona- 
parte Avho ordered at Paris the most imposing ceremonies on the occasion 
of the death of our Ijeloved Washington? 

Thank God, that France, to-day, after having passed through tlu' 
most terrible ordeals, after having been subjected -to the domination of 
the weakest antl most capricious monarchs, has once again proclaimed 
the Republic ; and those disasters which we have signalized, and those 
reigns which we have referred to, ai)pear now like dim spots upon the 
great disc of the sim : these last can no more obscure the brilliancy of 
the glorious orb of day, than tiie others can tarnish the halo of glory and 
grandeur which encircles the figure of that beautiful land of France, the 
mother of heroes and of men of genius, and the iiome of purity and 
virtue. 

It is an undeniable fact that the noble example of Washington was 
oneof the great inspiring causes which led the French nation to proclaim 
the Republic, and that the fidelity with which the American people 
upheld, under the niost trying circumstances, the grand princi])les of 
liberty which underlie our jjolitical system, was Jilso one of the causes 
which led the French people to restore the Republic in 1870. 

'i'lie noble conduct of our first President, his total self-al)ni>gation, 
his Brutus-like vij'tue, have, beyond doubt, exercised a potent infiuence 
upon the education, not only of the American people, but of all other 



GliAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 39 

civilized nations ; the great deeds of good men belong to humanity. 
Those who read history, whether ancient or modern, never fail to attach 
themselves more particularly to certain great characters, whose virtues 
and enduring qualities of head and heart inspire mankind with peculiar 
veneration and respect. Washington was one of those favored mor- 
tals who could not fail to attain a very high place in the esteem and 
consideration of his fellow-citizens There is no greater truism than 
that virtue is jits own reward, and that the feeliug that we have per- 
formed a meritorious act for no otlier reason than that it is just and 
proper that we should, gives us that satisfaction which never results from 
any other consideration. 

This being admitted, the inauguration of Washington as the first 
President of a republic which he had founded, is one of those rare events 
which, unfortunately for the welfare of nations, are too seldom met with 
in history. Let us then unite in rendering thanks to that kind Provi- 
dence which has vouchsafed to us our Washington, to whose heroic 
efforts we owe that perfect liberty of which we are all of us so proud, and 
which is the most precious inheritance which he could have left to his 
children. 

The address was well received. 
Music — Marseillaise. 

The i)resident introduced Wor.* Brother John Roccbi, who 
made the Ibllowiug address in Italian : 

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brei-hien, LaJies and Gentlemen : 

We celebrate to-day the first centenary of the installation of George 
Washington as Chief Magistrate of the United States, which, one hun- 
dred years ago, was solenniized in New York with great pomp, and in 
the presence of a large and happy multitude, which had assembled 
there, coming from all parts of the Union, to crown the holy cause, to do 
honor to the pre-eminent citizen, the hero, the redeemer of his country 
and the victorious founder of her independence and liberty. The ob- 
servance of this glorious and memorable day, which commemorates the 
birth of American liberty, is sacred to every one who loves this great 
country, redeemed through the heroism of the thirteen colonies. 

This just and well merited reward, entliusiastically voted to Wash- 
ington bj' his grateful fellow-citizens, was but a token of their appre- 
ciation of his enlightened patriotism, of the victories obtained by means 
of his glorious sword for ni;iny years upon the battle fields, against the 
armies of Great Britain, while in supreme connnand of the armies of 
his country. 

That day was to commemorate the placing of the ci'own of laurels 
upon the corner-stone of that great edifice which to-day comprises that 
great Union of Sovereignties, now composed of forty-eight States, with 



40 SPECIAL CO:\rMUNICATION OV THK 



more tliau sixty niillioii iiihalflBffits, many of whom liavo come here 
from other parts of the jilohe, to enjoy the beiu-lits, the advantages, the 
privileges of tliat independence, lil)erty and prosperity whieli is vainly 
sought in the old world, hut wliich rules supreme upon this soil, favored 
by nature. 

Washington was tiie first in war, tlie first in peace, the first in the 
hearts of his countrymen. He was the eml)odiment of simplicity in 
greatness. He was the greatest among good men and tlie lu'st among 
great men. 

His virtue was of a ijurity known oidy in l)y-gone times; he was a 
high-minded and noble man. And for this he earned tlie dearest and 
sweetest title and gift to which man can asjjire on eartli, that of " Father 
of his Country." 

I'i'esent and future generations will, unto I'ternity, reverently do 
homage to his memory, whicii shall remain immortal and sacred. 

Washington was born on the :22d of February, 1732, in Westmore- 
land county, Va., in the ancestral home, on the banks of the Potomac. 
He certainly was chosen by Divine Providence for the great mission, 
whereof he became the immortal hero in this new world. He was 
created by heaven to crush out tyranny, and to free this sacred soil of its 
devastating conquerors and oppressors.' Possessed of a su])erior genius, 
he dedicated himself almost from l)oyhood, with passionate love, to the 
study of strategic science, whereof he was, later on, to give such great 
proof, by becoming the greatisj: captain of his time. 

He dedicated his life, his sword, his studies, his prowess and will to 
rendering his country great and indejiendent, by freeing the same from 
the foreign yoke. 

He Avas continuously seeking tlie triumph of the people for whose 
liberty he had ])laced his life in jeopardy. He sought to revive upon 
American soil the greatness, the splendor, the liberty of Rome under 
Scipiote. He reposed great confidence in the nation strusrgling for inde- 
pendence, believing the same entitled to self-government. His admin- 
istration of public aflairs, internally and wdth foreign countries, was 
ecjuitaljle and prudent. He greatly encouraged commerce, agriculture 
and the industries of the country, thus increasing the revenues of the 
State and extinguishing the national debt, resulting from the war. Un- 
der the auspices of liberal laws, this great continent thereafter became 
the center of that immigration of Euro])ean ]iopulatio,ns which to-day 
excites our wonder and makes very great this nation, and which otters a 
friendly asylum to the foreign i)atriots of the world, and especially of 
our dear Italy, who have been exiled from their native homes by des- 
potic and tyrannical governments, on account of their love of country' 
and liberty, governments which have been relegated to public execra- 
tion by us, free citizens of this great Republic. 

After having fulfilled his duties as President of the United States, 
for two consecutive terms, after having been the head, the hero of his 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 41 

country's freedom, after having i^resided over the National Congress 
held in Philadelphia in 17S7, which gave birth to the great Constitution 
which henceforth was to rule the destinies of this great people, upon a 
liberal but tlrni basis, what did he demand from the nation? what was 
to be his recompense for so many services ? Did he ask for a crown ? 
Did he seek reward from the treasury ? No. he sought none of these — 
nor did he desire anything else. 

And where, in the pages of history, shall we find the paragon of 
such examiile of magnanimity and modesty, and of so many virtues ? 
There is none to be found, excepting, perhaps, in our oAvn day, the hero 
Garibaldi. Alexander degraded himself by the selfish destruction of his 
race. Ctesar was enslaved by his unlimited power. Napoleon the 
Great sought to dominate the whole Universe. Washington, no less 
great among these great men, but honest, loyal and true to his country, 
after so many heroic deeds for the independence and liberty of his 
country, quietly retires from power, and as a plain, unassuming citizen, 
seeks rest in " Mount Vernon," his favorite abode, where, like another 
C'incinnatus, he ends his days, dedicating himself to agricultural pur- 
suits, after having reconnnended his companions in arms to (Congress, 
to the Nation, to God. 

WasJiington, dying in the midst of glory, may l)e said to have had 
innuortality as his sepulchre. His last wishes were the pi'osperity of the 
people he had loved so much. Calm and resigned, he passed away to 
his grave, conscious pf having carried out his mission in the great 
drama which all nations struggling for liberty must enact, to attain in- 
dependence. 

And we, sons of that Italian soil which has always been the home 
of genius and refinement, may here proudly join this great people which 
hath hospitaV)ly received us, to assist in the celebration of this niemor- 
able anniversary,, feeling, as we do, that if Washington is the father of 
this, our adopted country, an Italian, our Christopher Columbus, won 
the glory of discovering this world, whereof he too is the father, many 
millions of human beings having thereby been enlightened by civiliza- 
tion. 

Washington was not only a brave soldier, a great patriot and exem- 
plary citizen, he also was an ardent and zealous brother JVIason ; a warm 
friend of the Order, which he joined in Virginia at the age of twenty 
years, by beconnng a member of Just and Perfect Lodge No. 4, of 
Fredericksburg. 

The study, the example and doctrines of Freemasonry exer- 
cised great influence upon Washington, both in his private and public 
life. He had learned, after careful meditation and incjuiry, that Free- 
masonry, which, like the first rays of the sun, had come from the East, 
was an eminently philosophical and philanthropic and charitable insti- 
tution, greatly inclining to the political, religious and social emanci- 
pation of the people, and the moral, jihysical and intellectual develop- 
ment of man. 



42 SPECIAL oom.aii:nicatiox of the 

As a matter of fact. Masons seek, in JNIasonry, the triumph only "of 
human progross, fi-atcrnity, ecjuahty and Uberty amonjjj men. They af- 
fectionately dedicate themselves to acts of charity, to the study of uni- 
versal moraUty, and to deeds of virtue. 

Every man of lionor who believes in all that is beautiful, sacred and 
religious, cannot lielp admiring the noble and sublime doctrines of 
Freemasonry, which teaches unto otliers the duties of being honest, of 
paternal, filial, fraternal and marital love and of good citizenship. 
Masonry is the oldest institution on earth Masonry has conferred upon 
humanity immense and incalculable benefits. It is the light whose rays 
penetrate darkness, it is fraternal love in the full sense of the word. It 
is the philosophy of logic, of truth and justice. To-day Freemasonry hath 
spread tlirougliout the world. It thrives under the protection of God 
himself, and of emperors, kings and princes, and all the men of good 
heart. It stretches its charitable hand to alleviate human suffering. It 
is the beacon light of (civilization. It spreads its doctrines of human 
rights and liberty, the same which Christ himself vouchsafed to us on 
earth. 

If all men created by the great Architect of the Universe, for their 
greater glory and l)enefit, would become Masons, the great problem of 
having on earth universal peace and happiness would at once be solved. 

I am sure, venerable i)rethren, that I express the feelings which an- 
imate us all on this solemn occasion, when I say all honor and our per- 
petual gratitude to Washington, the Father of his Country, who was the 
founder, the promoter of this great and liberal nation, who was the 
heroic source of the greatness, the prosperity and the liberty and inde- 
pendence of the United States. 

Much applause. 
Music — Eoyal March. 

After the march, the Quartette Club and Frohsiuu Society 
again occupied the front of the stage, and sang : 

O ISIS AND OSIRIS. 

() (lenius of all beauty, come from on high I 
Come on zephyr-wings, our songs to sanctify. 
That joyously to heaven they may ascend. 
From heart to heai't their holy power extend, 
And may our soul. Thy breath sublime. 
Pervade, to rise above the World and Time. 

Mankind unite, and thy sweet accords ever 

May reconcile all those whom hatred sever ! 

The true man only is in bliss abounding, 

In feelings pure and peacefully resounding. 

From wild and worldly passions IVee — 

Free, pure and chaste, the singer's heart must be. 



GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA. 43 

Then the Rev. Grand Chaplain, R. W. Bro. H. C. Duncan, 
gave the benediction. 

The band played Home, Sweet Home. 

The audience was dismissed. 

The procession was reformed, and tlie Grand Lodge and the 
Craft returned to the liall. 

The Grand Lodge was called to order, the officers as before, 
except the Grand Secretary, whose place was filled by Rev. and 
Wor. Bro. W. K. Douglas. 

The following resolutions were introduced and unanimously 
adojited: 

Resolced, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge be and are hereby tendered to the 
orators for their orations and addresses. Tlie Grand Secretary to request copies for 
publication. 

Rexolcpd, That thanlvs are hereby tendered to the Quartette Club and Froli- 
sinn Society for the musical entertainment rendered. 

Resolved, That thanks be tendered to Bro. Sal. Marx for tlie translation of 
songs from tlie' German. 

Resolved, That thanks be and are liereby tendered to Bro. David Bidwell, for 
the use of the St. Charles Theatre. 

Resolved, That five tliousand copies of the proceedings of the celebration be 
published in pamplilet form for distribution, etc. 

After prayer by the W. Grand Chaplain, the Grand Master 
closed the M. W. Grand Lodge in Ample Form. 

XoTE— At 6 p. M., the brethren, to the number of over two 
hundred, assembled at the banquette table, in the ball room. 



44 SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE 

The I'ollowiui; weiv the standin*;' 



1. ThK PkKSIOKXT of TIIK IJXITKI) 8TATKS, 

" On wliose brow .sluitiie is asliamed to sit, 
For 'tis !i tlirone wliere lionor may be clowned, 
Sole monarch of the universal eaitli." No response. 

2. The Memory op our Illustrious Brother, George Wash- 

ington, THE E'aTIIEK of HIS ('OUNTRY— OUR FiRST PRESIDENT. 

" A lil"e how useful to his country led ! 
How loved while living! how revered now dead ! 
Lisp ! lisp his name, ye children > et unborn ! 
Anil with lilve deeds your own great name adorn." No response. 

3. Our Country : the first of its kind— an Exemplification 

OP Masonic Rulf of Action — A Goverxmextofthe People, 

BY THE PeOPLK, AND FOR THE PEOPLE. 

"Liberty! eternal sjMrit of the chaiiiless mind." 
" The foundation of our public morality must be laid deep in the public intelli- 
gence and A'irtue." 

Response by 15 ko. Louis BtisH, Louisiana Lodge No. I(i2_ 

4. The Principles of Freemasonry: Faith in God, Love for 

Man — Liberty, governed by Law. 

'• Hewers of wood and carvers of stone came heavily laden, and reared a temple, 
and they builded better than they knew." 

Response by P. G. Master Jos. P. Horxok. 

5. Our Bister Grand Lodge Jurisdictions— Such a Sisterhood 

cax coxquer the avori^d. 

" For Freedom's battle once begun, 
Beiiueallied by bleeding sire to son, 
'I'hougli battied oft, is ever won." 

Response by P. G. Master, Dan'id R. Gkaua^i. 

G. Our Brkthren — Freemasoxs, whioresoever dispersed. 

"Swing wide ye portals! For, lo, the stranger knocking at our gates is our 
brother." 

Response by P. G. Master Edwin Marks., 

7. The Memory of our Departed Brethrex. 

"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die." No response. 

s. The Masoxic V'eteraxs of Louisiana. 

" For the siructiire I hat we raise, 
Time is with materials tilled: 
Our to-days and yesterdays 
Are the blocks with wliicii we build." 

Resiwnse by I'. G. Master Samuel Manning Todd. 
9. Our Past Grand Masters. 

" We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths ; 
In feelings, not in figures on a dial ; 
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives 
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." 

Response by P. G. Master J. Q. A. Fellows.^ 



GRAND I-ODGE OF IX)UISTANA. 



45 



10. Secketariat of thf Grand Loixjk. 

" Men who their duties know 
And knowing dare maintain." 

Response by Grand Sec'y R. VV. Bro. J. C. Ratchelor, M. I). 

11. The Press. 

" Mightiest of tlie migiif y means 
On\vhicli the arm of Progress leans- 
Man's noblest mission to advance, 
His woes assuage, his weal enhance, 
His rights enforce, his wrongs redress — 
Mightiest of the mighty, is the press." 

Response by Bro. \V. M. Robinsox, Linn Wood Lodge No. 167. 

12. WoiMEN — OiTR Mothers, .Sisters, Sweeihearts and Wives. 

" O woman ! dear woman ! whose form and whose soul 
Are the light and the life of each spell we pursue, 
Whether sunned in the tropics or chilled at- the pole, 
If women be there, there is happiness too." 

Response by W. Bro. Gko. Sottle, Quitman Lodge No. 76. 

•' Night's candles are out, and jocund day 
Stands Up-toe on the misty mountain tops." 

" Gentle lords, let's part 
What needs more words ? 
Good night." 



A. 



